New Zealand Subantarctic Islands

New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands are strictly protected nature reserves. Vessel visits and landings require advance Department of Conservation (DOC) permission and compliance with permit conditions, marine-reserve boundaries and regional coastal-plan rules. This information does not replace New Zealand's general customs and immigration formalities.

These are not ordinary yacht ports for first international clearance. Complete national border formalities at an authorized port under New Zealand's rules, then obtain separate DOC permits/conditions for the islands and their waters. A landing in a protected area is not port clearance.

Official source: DOC Subantarctic visitor permits

Pre-arrival notification

Before visiting the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands and surrounding waters, consult DOC and obtain the required permit. Landing in a nature reserve requires explicit permission covering the person, island and site; marine-reserve boundaries, speed, anchoring and wildlife rules also apply. Domestic border clearance does not replace protected-area access approval.

Official source: DOC visit conditions

The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands are New Zealand territory; no separate immigration port on the islands was found. Immigration New Zealand says private-yacht crew need an NZeTA or visa according to nationality. A visit to the islands also requires DOC permission. Confirm border reporting, crew changes and landing arrangements for the specific voyage with Immigration New Zealand, Customs and DOC in advance.

New Zealand Customs' small-craft process expressly covers yachts and recreational vessels, their crew/passengers and goods aboard. The Subantarctic Islands are protected areas, not separate customs entry ports. A yacht must first complete New Zealand border clearance at an authorized international arrival point under Customs rules, then obtain DOC permission to visit the islands and comply with marine-reserve and quarantine conditions. Confirm remote-voyage contacts, berthing and departure arrangements with Customs and DOC in advance.

Quarantine and biosecurity

Follow DOC's Subantarctic minimum-impact and invasive-species prevention requirements. Mainland New Zealand clearance does not replace protected-area permission.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Auckland Islands: Places to go in the subantarctic islands, Sout

DOC requires visitors to the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands to follow permit conditions, minimum-impact protocols and quarantine procedures to prevent invasive plants or pests entering the reserves. New Zealand MPI also inspects yachts and recreational craft for border biosecurity. Public sources do not give a complete restricted-items list for private yachts visiting the islands. Follow MPI and DOC instructions in advance for food, pets, plants, seeds, soil and waste declarations and handling.

Visits to the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands must follow the locations and conditions in the DOC permit. Visitors landing ashore must follow quarantine measures to prevent invasive plants and pests; some locations are restricted. Private yachts should contact DOC before sailing to confirm permits and landing arrangements.

New Zealand Customs charges a border-processing fee for small craft sailing into New Zealand; DOC separately charges for Subantarctic protected-area permits. These are not a uniform total clearance price for yachts visiting the islands and exclude possible port, quarantine, agent or special-permit charges. Before leaving the islands and New Zealand, confirm fees, formalities and departure clearance under the designated-port and permit conditions.