Media Releases

Check out our media releases, updates and news

SeaLink COVID-19 Update 

18 August, 2021

We at SeaLink are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following guidance from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. As of 11:59pm on Tuesday 17 August, Auckland is at lockdown Alert Level 4 and will be for a duration of at least 7 days.

Here is the link to Ministry of Health website if you wish to see the latest updates on COVID-19: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

The safety of our employees and our customers has always been and remains a high priority for SeaLink.

We have put the following in place to combat the spread of the disease and ensure that your journey with us is enjoyable and safe:

  • Travel on SeaLink is now restricted to essential services only to Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island
  • You must travel with a car and stay inside your car for the duration of the sailing
  • The SeaLink crew will not be available to load and unload unaccompanied vehicles onto vessels
  • Foot passenger bookings are not available from Friday 20th August to Tuesday 24th August
  • Hand sanitiser dispensers have been fitted to all of our terminals and on board our vessels for our employees and customers
  • All café/bars on board our vehicular vessels are closed
  • We have sanitising spray, disinfectant and medical grade single use wipes on all vessels for table/hard surface wipe-downs
  • There will be timetable changes – they will be announced at: https://www.sealink.co.nz/timetables-fares
 
Please remember to practice good hygiene standards whilst on board our vessels; this includes:
  • Hand hygiene – that is, washing hands regularly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
  • Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene
  • Please either take with you or use the recycling and refuse bins provided to dispose of your plates, bottles, napkins, cups or anything else that can be considered rubbish before you depart the vessel - this will aid the on-board team in keeping the vessel hygienic and clean for all passengers

 
For general information please click on the following link: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public

We thank you for choosing SeaLink as your mode of transport around the Hauraki Gulf Islands!

-The SeaLink Team


Sailing disruptions during the Christmas Race, Prada Cup and America’s Cup match

24 November, 2020

Due to the America's Cup World Series regatta and Christmas Race, Prada Cup and America’s Cup match over the December to March period, there will be some disruptions to our service.

The 36th America's Cup will have three racing periods:

  • The America's Cup World Series regatta and Christmas Race: 17 - 20 December 2020.
  • The Prada Cup challenger series: 15 January - 22 February 2021.
  • The America’s Cup match: 6 - 21 March 2021. 

During racing times, the sailing duration between Auckland and Waiheke will be longer than usual to meet speed restrictions. Please note, these will only apply on racing days during racing times.

  • Hamer Street to Waiheke & Waiheke to Hamer Street: up to 160 minutes
  • Half Moon Bay to Waiheke & Waiheke to Half Moon Bay: up to 120 minutes

Keep an eye on our timetable pages for the most up to date schedules. Timetable fliers will not be available over this period due to the number of changes and/or cancellations over this time.

There will also be limited access to our Hamer Street, Auckland Central terminal over these racing dates.

Only booked passengers and vehicles and staff will be allowed through. If stopped by a traffic marshal, please have your booking confirmation on hand to be let through.

-The SeaLink Team

map of road closures during 36th America's Cup


SeaLink supports local with facemask sales

23 November, 2020

SeaLink is proud to have supported St John Waiheke and St John Great Barrier Island through the sale of facemasks at the Hamer Street, Half Moon Bay and Kennedy Point terminals. 100% of the purchase price of each facemask sold between August 25th and November 13th 2020 has been directly donated to these two St John offices. A total of 612 masks were sold and $1836 donated to St John last week.

Now that face coverings have been mandated for all public transport in Auckland from 11.59pm on November 18th 2020, we are continuing this initiative over the summer season. If a traveller is caught out without a face covering or mask on hand, they can purchase a disposable one for just $3 from our teams at Hamer Street, Half Moon Bay and Kennedy Point. They are not just helping to protect their fellow travellers but supporting a great cause as well.

Thanks to all those who have already purchased a mask with us and thank you to everyone for keeping your communities safe!

-The SeaLink Team


SeaLink COVID-19 Update

25 August, 2020

From Monday 31st August, the Ministry of Health has mandated the use of face coverings while on all public transport for Alert Levels 2, 3 and 4. 

This means all travel with SeaLink from Monday onwards, travellers must wear a face mask or covering at all SeaLink terminals and onboard all our ferries. Accepted face coverings can include, but not limited to, medical or non-medical-grade face masks, a bandana, handkerchief, or scarf. They can be store-bought or home-made, so long as the covering is worn properly and appropriately. 

Face coverings should not be worn by young children or people who could not remove them without assistance or people who have trouble breathing (medical certificate may be requested).

If you wish to travel with us and are not wearing a face covering from Monday onwards, you will not be permitted to board. We will have disposable facemasks available to purchase for $3 at the Hamer Street, Half Moon Bay and Kennedy Point terminals if you find yourself without one on arrival at the terminal (while stocks available). 100% of the purchase price of each facemask sold will be donated to St John. 

SeaLink has also reinstated health and safety procedures since the move to Alert Level 3. 

  • We continue to require all those travelling in vehicles to remain in their vehicles for the duration of their time at our terminals and on our vessels. You will still be required to have a face covering on hand while in your vehicle for when you need to wind down your window to talk to SeaLink at the terminal and if you need to leave your vehicle while onboard. 
  • All passengers are to observe the 2-metre social distancing rule and to utilise the hand sanitisers we have provided onboard all our ferries. If you need any assistance in locating these, please ask one of our staff while maintaining the 2-metre distance.
  • The COVID Tracer QR codes are now on display at all SeaLink terminals and onboard all our ferries. If you do not have the app, please be ready to provide the details of your passengers at the terminal (full name, mobile number, email address). This is to ensure we have the ability to contact trace if requested by the Ministry of Health. Please note, this information is ONLY for the purpose of contact tracing.
  • We are still no longer be accepting cash payments and would prefer if you booked online or by phoning us on 0800 732 546, rather than coming into our ticket offices to book. Facemasks must be purchased with an EFTPOS or credit card.
  • Our vessel cafes, except on Seacat, will remain closed throughout the Level 2 and 3 Alert period.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0800 732 546.

Thank you for helping keep fellow travellers and the SeaLink team safe across the Hauraki Gulf.


14 May, 2020

As we move into Alert Level 2 today, we are now able to open up more sailings to allow increased travel to Waiheke and Great Barrier Island.

We will be returning to our normal winter schedule for Half Moon Bay on Monday 18th May. Further changes may be made to timetables based on demand. On Monday 11th May, our Pine Harbour service returned to its normal timetable. We are pleased to confirm that all our services continue to be committed to maintaining social distancing onboard.

  • We are still conducting contact tracing across all sailings including for the Pine Harbour service. Please be ready to provide the details of your passengers at the terminal or over the phone (full name, mobile number, email address). Please note, this information is ONLY for the purpose of contact tracing.
  • We will be encouraging vehicle occupants to remain in their vehicles. If you choose to get out of your vehicle and go to the café to make a purchase, that is also permitted.
  • All foot passengers are to observe the 1-metre social distancing rule and to utilise the hand sanitisers we have provided onboard all our ferries. If you need any assistance in locating these, please ask one of our staff while maintaining the 1-metre distance.
  • Passenger capacity is still limited so please remember to book early to ensure you get your preferred sailing.
  • We will no longer be accepting cash payments and would prefer if you booked online or by phoning us on 0800 732 546, rather than coming into our ticket offices to book.
  • In Alert Level 2 the Seacat café will re-open with a limited range of products only. We will fully open only once we are confident that we are able to serve you safely and in a safe environment.

As valued customers we are committed to your health and safety. If you are sick or feeling at all unwell, please stay at home. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0800 732 546.

Thank you for your understanding, co-operation and kindness over the past 7 weeks. We look forward to welcoming you on board again!


22 April, 2020

As we move into Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28 April, we can now open up our Great Barrier and Waiheke sailings from this date to essential personal movement and other safe travel such as that detailed on the Covid19.govt.nz website. From 28 April our service will accommodate vehicles and their passengers, as well as foot passengers. 

An updated schedule is now available on our timetables pages linked below. The Waiheke service will run from 6am to 6pm each day out of Half Moon Bay only. We will be servicing Great Barrier Island from our Hamer Street terminal as per usual. 

Half Moon Bay to Kennedy Point, Waiheke and return.
Hamer Street to Tryphena, Great Barrier Island and return.

As we begin to allow foot passengers back onboard our ferries, we want you to rest assured that we have ensured our ferries have been cleaned and sterilised prior to your travel with us. This will be completed by a company called STERICO that specialises in surface hygiene management and decontamination.

Over this week ALL our ferries are being treated with a fogging agent, which is odourless and environmentally safe and whilst completely gentle for humans and animals, it is deadly for a wide range of bacteria for up to 30 days. This decontamination process will also be repeated monthly for the foreseeable future.

Remember though, if you are sick or feeling unwell, please stay at home as this treatment does not stop the transmission of illness between people, it only helps remove any bacteria left on the surfaces of our ferries.

We are also maintaining Alert Level 4 procedures to help ensure your safety and that of our team:

  • All ferries have been cleaned and sterilised prior to your travel with us. This will be completed by a company called STERICO that specialises in surface hygiene management and decontamination. 
  • We continue to require all those travelling in vehicles to remain in their vehicles for the duration of their time at our terminals and on our vessels.
  • All foot passengers are to observe to 2-metre social distancing rule and to utilise the hand sanitisers we have provided onboard all our ferries. If you need any assistance in locating these, please ask one of our staff while maintaining the 2-metre distance.
  • We will no longer be accepting cash payments and would prefer if you booked online or by phoning us on 0800 732 546, rather than coming into our ticket offices to book.
  • Our vessel cafes will remain closed throughout the Level 3 Alert period.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0800 732 546.

Thanking you in advance again for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you onboard again soon!


24 March, 2020

Within the next 30 hours, New Zealand will enter into Alert Level 4 for COVID – 19.

Please note that the current SeaLink schedules as advertised for today and tomorrow are still valid until end of play tomorrow Wednesday 25th March. 

Effective Thursday 26 March, and encompassing the entire Lockdown Period of Alert Level 4, all of SeaLink’s timetables will be reduced and limited to providing essential services access only to and from Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island and Pine Harbour respectively.

For Waiheke and Great Barrier Island services, we will be accepting vehicles only, no foot passengers or unaccompanied vehicles. All vehicle occupants will be required to remain in their vehicles for the duration of their voyage.

Please review our new timetables at the below links:

Half Moon Bay to Kennedy Point, Waiheke and return.
Hamer Street to Tryphena, Great Barrier Island and return.
Pine Harbour to Auckland Central and return.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0800 732 546.
Thanking you in advance again for your understanding and cooperation.


21 March, 2020

In response to Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern’s latest announcements re COVID – 19 earlier today, 21 March 2020 please be advised of the following will be implemented -

Effective Sunday 22 March 2020, all passengers travelling in any vehicle, including the driver, will be asked to remain in their vehicle for the duration of the voyage and their time at our terminals.

Effective Monday, 23 March 2020 the following vessels will no longer accept foot passengers -

  • Seabridge
  • Seamaster 

These vessels will continue to accept vehicles and their passengers. However the driver of the vehicle and their passengers will be asked to remain in their vehicle for the duration of the voyage.

This action will allow us to ensure we have sufficient sea based resource in reserve to provide regular and reliable freight and commercial connectivity in support of our vessels Island Navigator for Great Barrier Island, and Seaway and Seacat for Waiheke.

In conjunction with the above, we will be closing ALL of our cafés on board our vessels.

The ongoing safety of our people and you, our valued customer have been and will remain a priority for SeaLink.

Please continue to practice social distancing and personal hygiene practices, as set out by Ministry of Health guidelines, to ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage with SeaLink.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on 0800 732 546.

Thanking you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.


16 March, 2020

In January 2020, Chinese authorities confirmed the presence of a new type of coronavirus which affects the respiratory system, known as COVID - 19 (coronavirus).

We at SeaLink are monitoring the situation and following guidance from the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

Here is the link to Ministry of Health website if you wish to see the latest updates on COVID – 19: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

The safety of our employees and our customers has always been and remains a high priority for SeaLink.

We have put the following in place to combat the spread of the disease and ensure that your journey with us is enjoyable and safe:

  • Hand sanitiser dispensers have been fitted to all of our terminals and on board our vessels for our employees and customers.
  • Hand pump sanitisers are also available at the counter of our café’s on board our vessels.
  • We have stock of medical grade single use wipes which have been provided for each wheel house and café bar surfaces.
  • We have sanitising spray and disinfectant on board all vessels for table/hard surface wipe downs.

In an effort to curtail the spread of the disease, you may wish to stay in your own vehicle whilst on board our vehicular vessels. Should you choose to remain in your vehicle, we will be printing the Safety Guidelines just in case you miss the regular Safety Update that is broadcast at the commencement of your journey with us.

Please remember to practice good hygiene standards whilst on board our vessels, this includes:

  • Hand hygiene – that is, washing hands regularly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser.
  • Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene.
  • Please either take with you or use the recycling and refuse bins provided to dispose of your plates, bottles, napkins, cups or anything else that can be considered rubbish before you depart the vessel. This will aid the on-board team in keeping the vessel hygienic and clean for all passengers.

For general information please click on the following link: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public

Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation information suggest there is limited value of using masks (even the N95 respirator type).

We accept that people may choose to wear masks – this should be considered an acceptable personal choice.

We thank you for choosing SeaLink as your mode of transport around the Hauraki Gulf Islands!


Short term service disruption to SeaLink Great Barrier services

3 July, 2019

Hamer Street move mapSeaLink is being relocated from its existing Wynyard Wharf terminal as a result of the America's Cup 2021 regatta.

Auckland Council and Panuku Development Auckland are working together with SeaLink to deliver a new purpose-built passenger and vehicle ferry terminal in Hamer Street, one street back from the current terminal. This is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.

A key part of the development of the new terminal is the relocation of SeaLink’s existing ramp to the new terminal in Hamer Street. This will take a period of one week and the relocation is scheduled to take place on 29th October to 5th November but is subject to change depending on the construction timetable.

What this means to services

During this time, SeaLink will be unable to operate its vehicle ferry services from Wynyard Wharf due to no ramp and the new Hamer Street terminal will not be operational. This means Great Barrier services will run out of Half Moon Bay using another of the company’s vessels, Seabridge.

During this period starting on the 29th October, Seabridge will run scheduled sailings to Tryphena, Great Barrier Island from Half Moon Bay on Friday 1st November, Saturday 2nd November, and Sunday 3rd November only (weather and tide dependent). Friday and Saturday will be designated freight days.

Plan Ahead

SeaLink recommends you plan ahead as much as possible for your freight or required vehicle and passenger movements and try to avoid last minute decisions.

Keeping you up to date

We will keep our website updated with the latest information. Please visit www.sealink.co.nz/travel-notices.

SeaLink apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates your assistance and tolerance during this period of exciting change.


SeaLink base makes way for America’s Cup

8 February, 2019
  • Staged changes to vehicle access to the ferry in the interim
  • New interim ticket sales kiosk and support office

Hauraki Gulf ferry operator SeaLink is working with Auckland Council and Panuku Development Auckland to enable the development of America’s Cup challenger syndicate bases on Wynyard Point.

The Waiheke and Great Barrier island ferry service operates a downtown terminal and vehicle access ramp located at the foot of Wynyard Wharf, adjacent to Brigham Street and restaurants along the wharf. SeaLink has a second vehicle ferry terminal at Half Moon Bay.

SeaLink Group Sales and Marketing Manager Glenys Henry said, “Like most Kiwis, we want America’s Cup to be a roaring success for the country and city and are happy to work with Auckland Council and Panuku Development Auckland to play our part to ensure a successful event for Auckland”.

Auckland Council and Panuku Development Auckland are working together with SeaLink Group to deliver a new purpose-built passenger and vehicle ferry terminal in Wynyard Point which is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.

In the meantime, in order to accommodate changes to Brigham Street and advance work for the challenger bases, vehicle and pedestrian access to the SeaLink ferries will go through several phased changes over the coming months.

From 5 February the southern end of Brigham Street will be closed to through traffic, however SeaLink operations will continue. SeaLink customers will access the vehicle ferry from the usual location on Brigham Street. However, large vehicles, such as tankers, will need to park on Brigham Street and reverse onto the ferry ramp when instructed.

At the same time, a new SeaLink ticket kiosk and passenger facility will be erected at the entrance of the ferry terminal and open to the public the week of 18 to 22 February. In March, the current queuing area for ferry vehicles on Wynyard Wharf will be closed and a new queuing area will be provided on Brigham Street itself.

Since 1960 SeaLink New Zealand (previously known as Subritzky Shipping Services) has been providing safe, fast and reliable services for vehicles, passengers, freight, heavy road machinery and bulk supplies to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands, and charter services to other Hauraki Gulf islands.

For further information, including a new terminal map, visit sealink.co.nz/sealink-terminal-update.

Car ferry bookings can be made on www.sealink.co.nz.

SeaLink Wynyard Wharf terminal road changes


Caution needed around construction work at Kennedy Point, Waiheke

February, 2019

From now until end of March 2020, SeaLink advises there will be construction work happening on Donald Bruce Road and in the location close to the SeaLink Kennedy Point ferry terminal. Parking will be significantly reduced and traffic volumes higher than normal.

To assist with reducing volumes and congestion on the road as well as the associated health and safety risks in the area, SeaLink requests all passenger and vehicle ticket sales to be booked at www.sealink.co.nz or by calling 0800 732 546.

In addition, foot passengers should be picked up and dropped off at the 24-hour carpark at the top of the hill and not at the terminal.

For the purposes of health and safety, it is important that at all times passengers and vehicle drivers follow the instructions of SeaLink marshals at Kennedy Point, as well as any signage.

SeaLink appreciates your assistance and tolerance during this period and your best endeavours to assist with safety.


SeaLink - the vital link to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf

SeaLink curtainsider truck parked at Half Moon Bay marina

SeaLink, the indispensable link from Auckland to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands will operate all its services under the SeaLink name from Monday 23 April, 2018.

Now called SeaLink Logistics, previously the SeaLink Group’s logistics arm had been known as Freightlink Cartage, while the Group’s ferry service operated (and will continue to operate) under the SeaLink name.

 “Using the SeaLink name for all our operations was a no brainer really,” said Mark Gibson, the CEO of SeaLink. “It makes it easier for customers to understand what our business is. We operate one supply chain – passengers, vehicles and freight.”

The company operates five vehicle ferries that move passengers, vehicles and freight between Half Moon Bay and the Wynyard Quarter to the Hauraki Gulf islands with around 6000 return trips a year to Waiheke and about 200 return sailings annually to Great Barrier.

The company provides Waiheke and Great Barrier with essential freight services.

SeaLink Logistics ships freight to the major building suppliers, supermarkets, breweries with outlets on the island as well as many smaller businesses. The ferries maximise volumes both ways and in return, transporting Island produce, recycling and even rubbish off the Islands.

It is also upgrading much of its vehicle fleet at the same time as it re-names its freight operation. Sixteen new vehicles (including trucks and trailers) valued at over $1 million will provide the wide variety of services to the companies that do business on the islands. They will all appear in the striking red SeaLink livery in the coming months.

“Several of our fleet were due for replacement,” said Mr Gibson. “They don’t have the easiest life being regularly exposed to salt water spray on the trips to and from the islands, so a new, more reliable fleet will be great for our operations.”

The new fleet includes two Isuzu FVZ1400A 6x4 curtainsider trucks, two Isuzu FRR600 4x2 curtainsider trucks, a single Isuzu FVZ1400A 6x4 fridge truck, two Isuzu EXY 460 6x4 tractor units, an Isuzu FVZ1400M 6x4 crane truck and a long wheel base Mercedes 316 Sprinter van. There are also seven new trailers.

SeaLink Logistics will continue to offer the same full freight service to the islands that Freightlink Cartage has provided, with the same staff.

“Customers can deliver freight to our East Tamaki Warehouse for us to transport to the islands, or for Waiheke customers, we can pick up from around the Auckland area,” said Mr Gibson.

The Springs Rd , East Tamaki depot is being up-graded between June and September – the operation’s low peak months - to create an even more efficient operation before it is despatched to the Half Moon Bay/ Wynyard Wharf ferry facilities.

On Waiheke, SeaLink Logistics can provide a door-to-door delivery service, or customers can pick-up from its Tahi Rd depot.

SeaLink Logistics also contracts to other freight companies who have goods bound for Waiheke or Great Barrier, but do not want to provide “the last mile” of delivery.

SeaLink will continue to operate up to 17 return trips a day between Half Moon Bay or Wynyard Wharf and Kennedy Point, Waiheke, including a special dangerous goods service.

There are return trips to Great Barrier Island up to five times a week in summer and three times a week in winter.

Since 1960 SeaLink New Zealand (previously known as Subritzky Shipping Services) has been providing safe, fast and reliable services for vehicles, passengers, freight, heavy road machinery and bulk supplies to Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands, and contracted services to other Hauraki Gulf islands.

Contact details for SeaLink Logistics are as follows:

Phone: 0800 SEALINK (0800 732 546)

Email: [email protected]