s/y Nine of Cups
Cruiser's Information - Cruising New Zealand
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Notes:

The information available about New
Zealand is copious. There is no singular
cruising guide for the entire country so we've
identified the guides by name and area.

The NZ chart numbering system was
updated in the late 1990's so older guides
(e.g. Fiordland Guide)  refer to obsolete
chart numbers.  See updated Catalog of NZ
Charts download to the right.

Though most chandleries have charts and/or
guide books for their area, we found that
Trans Pacific Marine in Westhaven,
Auckland was the best for having everything
in stock. You can visit or they'll ship
overnight courier (~NZ$10-15) and exclude
GST if you send/e-mail them your TIE
(Temporary Import Exemption) paperwork.
New Zealand Catalog of Charts
Moorings Guide to Bay of    
  Islands/  Hauraki Gulf
Available NZ Cruising Guides:

Northland Coast Boaties Atlas - Thatcher
Northeast coast of North Island...Whangarei to North Cape

*Spot X Cruising New Zealand - Pigneguy & Airey
Excellent guide; North Cape to East Cape

Hauraki Gulf Boaties Atlas - Thatcher
Hauraki Gulf including Auckland area, Great Barrier Island,
Mercury Islands and Coromandel Peninsula

Coastal Cruising Handbook - Royal Akarana YC
North Cape to East Cape, east coast NZ; dated

*NZ Cruising Guide Central Area - Murray & Von Kohorn
Includes Cook Strait, Nelson, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay,
Marlborough Sounds, Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton,
Wellington

*Stewart Island Cruising Guide - Mana Cruising Club
Covers Stewart Island and South Island east coast route

*Boatie's Guide to Fiordland - Mana Cruising Club
Covers Fiordland (Good, but dated)

*New Zealand Nautical Almanac - updated annually
Includes tide info country-wide, Notices to Mariners,
astronomical info, light list info, maritime contacts

* = Guides we have purchased and used.
Mr. John IV  NZ Quick Guide
Right click a
flag  to copy
New Zealand Map
Exploring NZ's Parks
Items to buy/souvenirs from NZ:
  • Greenstone / nephrite jade (in Maori pounamu) -  carved jewelry in traditional Maori
    designs. Bought as a gift for someone for good luck; never buy it for yourself.
  • New Zealand wines are great: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris were two favorite whites.
    Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlots were good red choices.
  • Popular motifs include the white fern, kiwi, unfurling fern (koru), sheep, bright red
    pohutakawa blossom (NZ Christmas tree). Most of these motifs are also available in fabric
    designs at local stores including Spotlight.
  • Carved kauri wood items
  • All things paua (NZ abalone) including the beautiful blue-green irridescent shells themselves.
    There's paua jewelry, paua decorations, paua napkin rings and  they also make excellent
    eating.
  • Grunt! A NZ rust removal gel product was a new find for us and worked so well, we
    bought several jars. Available in most chandleries including Cater Marine in Opua (with a
    10% SSCA discount).
  • Yo-Go – yogurt maker and yogurt powder packets. Just add water, leave overnight and
    voilá a liter of fresh yogurt.
NZ Meteorological Service  
         Forecast Areas
Opua, NZ Arrival Information
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