New Zealand waters

There is no shore DSC in New Zealand: make a distress call by voice on 16.

• 16
  Distress and calling. Maritime Radio keeps watch; weather and warnings are announced here.
• 67 · 68 · 69 · 71
  Maritime Radio working channels, by station.
• 6 · 8
  Ship to ship.
• 73
  Marinas.
• 1–5 · 7 · 18 · 60–66
  Repeaters for Coastguard and coastal stations, by area.
• 19 · 20 · 79
  Coastguard local weather, broadcast all the time.

Transmitting needs the Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate and a call sign.

Which Maritime Radio and Coastguard channel covers your area is in the Maritime NZ Radio Handbook.

Source: Maritime NZ, Radio Handbook (April 2025).

Checked against the official sources on 25 October 2026. Channels change: the official notice wins over this page.