Pursuant to the Maritime Transport Act 1994

Maritime New Zealand is consulting on proposed changes to its Maritime Levy and fees. This is referred to as the Funding Review. You can view the consultation document and make a submission online at www.maritimenz.govt.nz/funding.

If you choose to make a submission, your feedback will be incorporated into Maritime New Zealand’s final recommendations to the Minister for Transport, the Honourable Phil Twyford.

There are 16 proposals being consulted on. In general, the proposals cover:

• Better international engagement so we can influence international conventions for New Zealand’s benefit.
• More focus on targeting areas of greatest risk to safety and the environment.
• Changes to our systems to make it easier for operators to do the right thing.
• The Maritime Levy allocation method has been redeveloped to be more transparent and fair in response to feedback from industry. It now reflects the total value of what is put at risk – the vessel, freight and people.
• There is a new single hourly rate of $245 proposed. Travel loadings and IT costs are no longer added. A number of fixed fees reduce as a result of the delivery effort reducing.
• After listening to industry share their issues on staff recruitment and retention and the high cost of training, all seafarer certificates will have a fixed fee of $368 (this is a reduction for most certificates with the balance from the Maritime Levy).
• Audit fees are no longer charged. This means domestic and foreign vessels are now aligned and all pay for audit costs indirectly through the Maritime Levy. Exceptions are where follow-ups on an audit visit is needed, and where an audit does not occur within New Zealand.

The consultation will run until 5.00pm on 18 January 2019. Public meetings will be held, where there will be discussion on the details of the review and the proposed changes to the Maritime Levy and fees. The dates and places are set out below. Further meetings may be scheduled and notification of these will be on www.maritimenz.govt.nz/funding.

Making a Submission

The deadline for making submissions on the Funding Review consultation document is 5.00pm on Friday 18 January 2019.

You may make comments by:

• Online submission at www.maritimenz.govt.nz/funding.
• email to fundingreview@maritimenz.govt.nz.
• ordinary post to Maritime New Zealand, Funding Review, PO Box 25620, Wellington 6146.
• delivery to Maritime New Zealand, Funding Review, Level 11, 1 Grey Street, Wellington.
• fax to (04) 494 8901.

The Official Information Act 1982 applies to Maritime New Zealand, so keep in mind your submissions may be made available to people seeking information under this Act. Maritime New Zealand also intends to publish a summary of submission.