An upgrade of the navigation system that helps guide vessels into the Port Taranaki harbour will improve safety for commercial vessels and recreational users.
Port Taranaki, working alongside the Port Taranaki harbour master, local port users and Maritime NZ, has installed sector lighting on the rear main navigational lead – the fixed navigation mark beside the Port Taranaki building on Bayly Road – and at an elevated position within the port operations area.
The sector lighting is operational from today (1 December 2025).
Sector lighting involves the use of coloured segments, or arcs of light, to indicate to vessels entering the harbour where they are positioned in the channel – whether the vessel is in an area that is safe to navigate, an area where a course adjustment should be made, or an area of danger.
“With the sector lighting system, when a vessel’s master can see a steady white light in transit [in line] with the forward main navigational lead on Ngāmotu Beach, it means the vessel is well positioned in the centre of the shipping channel,” Port Taranaki marine manager Ben Martin explains.
“If the light seen is red, the vessel is port of the central track, and if a green light is seen then the vessel is starboard of the central track. In both these instances, the lights indicate that a vessel is in an area of danger and needs to adjust its course.
“If the vessel sees a combination of colours – either red-white or green-white – then it is close to the centre of track. These combinations provide additional cues to mariners for precise navigation.”
Mr Martin said that swell and wind conditions could, at times, make the harbour challenging to negotiate for large and small vessels, so the addition of sector lighting was beneficial.
“Knowing a vessel’s position relative to the dredged shipping channel and using aids such as sector lighting is vital when turning ships in and out of port.”
He said the colours aligned with international navigational guidelines and several other ports in New Zealand operated sector lighting.
"The Port Taranaki team is committed to continuously improving our operations and navigation systems. Ensuring the safety of commercial, fishing, and recreational vessels in the harbour is a top priority. This work supports all users in achieving that goal," he said.
Mr Martin said harbour users would notice the forward main lead light on Ngāmotu Beach had been changed from red to white, and the rear main lead light on Bayly Road had been changed from a flashing red light to the sector lighting.
“While the changes will mainly benefit commercial traffic, there will also be benefit for recreational users, including boaties, waka ama, and yachties, so we ask that harbour users please be aware of the changes and know what the colours represent.”
He said navigational charts would be updated to include the changes. Charts can be found at www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/charts.
The new sector lighting can be seen on the rear main navigational lead – the fixed navigation mark beside the Port Taranaki building on Bayly Road.
