New Zealand’s Maritime Education Crisis: A System Failing Its Workforce

Here is a striking example of the system’s dysfunction: In late 2023, an employer enrolled two crew members in a higher-level course, only for the institution to cancel it weeks before the start date due to low enrolment numbers. The crew waited a full year for the next available intake, only for the course to be cancelled again at the last minute. They were devastated. Their career progression was put on indefinite hold, and their employer was left without the upskilled crew they desperately needed.

At the core of New Zealand’s maritime training woes are two fundamental issues:

• artificially hyper-inflated course lengths due to the flawed funding model, and
• a lack of ticket progression opportunities

Unlike in Australia, where training is designed to meet industry needs, New Zealand’s system stretches courses longer than necessary because training providers receive more funding for longer courses.

For example:

The New Zealand Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) is recognised by both MNZ and AMSA as being equivalent to the Australian Coxwain Grade 1. The Coxwain Grade 1 is delivered in 3 weeks in Australia, but the SRL is stretched to 6 months in New Zealand.

Similarly, the Skipper Coastal Offshore (SCO) course in New Zealand takes six months, while Australia’s equivalent, the Master <24NC, is completed in just four weeks. But the differences don’t stop there. In Australia, mariners can qualify for a Master <24NC without needing prior tickets, as well as granting them privileges as mate on vessels up to 45m and watchkeeper on vessels up to 100m within 200 miles of shore. In contrast, New Zealand requires mariners to first complete the SRL, meaning they must spend at least a year in training before reaching the same career level as an Australian counterpart.

These delays aren’t just bureaucratic hurdles – they’re actively discouraging new entrants and slowing down workforce development.

Australia’s maritime education framework is a proven model that we should learn from. Their system offers:

• Clear and direct career progression pathways that allow mariners to advance based on experience rather than rigid ticketing requirements and attracts new talent into the maritime workforce
• Flexible course delivery to accommodate working professionals
• Multiple training providers, ensuring consistent course availability and preventing career stagnation
• Industry-aligned training designed to meet workforce demand rather than funding incentives

If New Zealand fails to reform its maritime education system, the consequences will extend far beyond cancelled ferry routes. Workforce projections indicate that by 2028, New Zealand could face a shortfall of 18,000 skilled workers in freight and logistics alone. Without urgent intervention, this crisis will cripple not only maritime transport but also economic stability and growth.

If we embrace proven educational frameworks like Australia’s, we can rebuild and strengthen our maritime workforce pipeline. This will ensure robust career opportunities for aspiring mariners and long-term resilience for our vital maritime sector.

We must:

• Restructure funding models to reflect competency-based training, not arbitrary (aka hyper-inflated) course lengths
• Enable direct progression to higher qualifications based on experience, rather than forcing mariners through outdated ticketing systems
• Expand training options to prevent disruptions to career progression
• Align industry and education to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled maritime professionals

The maritime industry is the backbone of New Zealand’s transport, tourism, and fishing sectors. Without bold reforms, we risk not only undermining career opportunities for aspiring mariners but also jeopardising the resilience of our entire blue economy. The time for action is now.