SV KEKADA II CLEARS INTO NEW ZEALAND

FOR THE SUMMER

Recently, SV KEKADA II and her crew just finished their third Pacific Crossing and cleared into New Zealand.  I asked Don and Anja if they would share a bit of their experience as there are many members of the Ocean Posse that do not have three Pacific Crossings under their keel…and just might some day.  So what’s it take?  Read on to find out.

Don shared:

We cleared into New Zealand at Opua.  Very quick.  Had done the notice of arrival and inward passenger cards online prior.  Customs entailed answering a few basic questions while they completed the TIE (Temporary Import Entry) (very handy for GST free boat stuff).  They also gave me a biosecurity master’s declaration form which I could have also finished prior to arrival but simply forgot to.  Two minute inspection and all finished.  We can work, stay as long as we like, no visas, etc.  Biosecurity was a few minutes later and I had time to finish the declaration.  He checked the fridge but we really did not have anything left.  We showed him some shell necklaces we had been given, all good.  Basically, he accepted our word for everything else.  Our last stop had been Norfolk Island (Australia) which probably helped.    

This is our third Pacific crossing so after French Polynesia we did the Samoa, Wallis, Fiji, New Caledonia route for a change.  Previously, we have done the Rarotonga, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia route.  The boat will spend summer in New Zealand.  We will have some home time in Adelaide.  

(Preparing for our passages) I check as many sources as I can re: weather but do my own passage planning.  Since French Polynesia the coffee machine has not had to be moved from the bench top.  (There were) a couple of days where it came close but basically a milk run.  If this is your first time then I suggest Tonga, Minerva Reef, New Zealand even if you backtrack to Tonga from Fiji.  The passages are shorter to one has a better chance of accurate weather predictions than Fiji to New Zealand.

Best advice: Be patient and wait for weather windows.  NO SCHEDULES

SV KEKADA II Don & Anja – Leopard 53’