Discover more about the Otago region, the Otago Regional Council and the councillors who represent you.

Our environment is our most important asset. We work with the community to ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources. The future of our beautiful region starts with protecting and caring for it today.

Rates

Residents of Otago are a key contributor to our funding through rates. Find out more about what rates are used for and how to pay them.

Consents and Compliance

We work with the community to promote the sustainable management of natural physical resources. The Resource Management Act sets out how we should manage our environment and forms the foundation for the majority of our work.

Public Transport

We provide bus services in Dunedin and bus and ferry services in Queenstown to help you get to where you need to go.

Harbourmaster

Our Harbourmaster works to ensure that our waterways are safe for everyone to enjoy.

Otago Regional Council is responsible for the regulation of ports, harbours, waters, and maritime-related activities in the Otago region under the Maritime Transport Act (1994). We cover the Otago Region, except from Queenstown Lakes District which has their own Harbourmaster appointed by the district council. To contact the Queenstown Harbourmaster, click here.

Some of our key functions are to:

Oversee maritime safety
Work with water users and other stakeholders on matters regarding the harbour and waterways
Ensure navigation aids, lights and beacons are in place and maintained
Remove hazards, such as trees and abandoned vessels
Maintain safe boating signage at your local boat ramps
Respond to marine oil spill events
Review applications to hold a special on-water event in Otago
Promote safe boating
Keep local and visiting boaties informed of changes to local rules and regulations
Work with Port Otago to ensure commercial shipping and related activities in Otago harbour remains safe
Issue Harbourmaster instructions from time to time.

Report an incident

Visitor Mooring Bookings

Report Pollution

Otago Navigational Safety Bylaw

Bar Crossing & Taieri Mouth Bar Camera

Bar crossings, or entrances of a river into an ocean, can be dangerous even for experienced skippers. Learn more about bar crossings. Read more

Queenstown Lakes Navigational Safety Bylaws

Recreational Water Use

Otago waters are used for a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether you're on a paddle board, power boat or anything in between you must know the rules and have the right gear to stay safe. Read more

Commercial Coast and Harbour Use

Key Contacts

If you need to contact someone about our harbours, check out our list of key harbour contacts. Read more

Managing our Environment

Harbourmaster