PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND

John’s Corner is an informal waypoint or navigational reference used by sailors traveling from Tonga or Fiji to New Zealand. It is not an official charted location but rather a general area where sailors often adjust their course based on weather conditions.

Weather Routing: The passage from the tropics (Tonga/Fiji) to New Zealand can be tricky due to the potential for strong weather systems, especially as you approach New Zealand. John’s Corner is often used as a decision point to evaluate the forecast and adjust course accordingly.
Avoiding Lows: This region can see developing low-pressure systems. Some sailors use John’s Corner to position themselves advantageously—either waiting for a better weather window or choosing the best approach to avoid rough conditions.
Latitude and Longitude: While not precisely defined, it is often considered to be around 30°S, 173°E, though some sailors adjust their version of “John’s Corner” based on their routing preferences.

Typical Routing Strategy

Departing from Tonga/Fiji, sailors head southwest or south, often aiming for a good position relative to expected weather patterns.
At John’s Corner, they reassess the conditions. If conditions are favorable, they may head directly for Opua, Marsden Cove, or another New Zealand port.