‘Medicine for the soul’: Hawke’s Bay Harbourmaster on dream maritime job

Hawke’s Bay Harbourmaster Adrian Wright says watching the sunrise while out on the water on a nice, calm day is medicine for the soul.

The most serious rule breaches Adrian Wright has seen this summer are adults taking children out on boats with no lifejackets on board, and people speeding in restricted areas.

“Both of which can lead to fatal consequences if something goes wrong,” he said.

“However, the majority of recreational water users in Hawke’s Bay follow the rules, and we are always pleased to see them out on the water, setting a great example for others.”

Wright, who has been the Hawke’s Bay Harbourmaster since 2024, said it was his wife who prompted him to apply for the position.

“I spent 15 years on commercial ships, which involved a lot of travelling.

“After getting married and having kids, my wife told me to find a land-based job. She’s very scary,” he said with a laugh.

“I saw the position advertised, and it was a good way to transition to a job where I could utilise my experience in the maritime industry. Big shout-out to my wife. Happy wife, happy life.”

He said there was no such thing as a typical day in his line of work.

“Things can quickly go from emails in the office to towing a deceased whale in the Inner Harbour, recovering a grounded vessel, or going on board a ship that had some equipment failure.”

Wright loves watching the sunrise while out on the water on a nice, calm day.

“It’s medicine for the soul.”

He says the best thing about his job is the people.

“I’ve had the privilege of interacting and engaging with people from all walks of life in the recreational and commercial sectors, and it’s always great to have a chat and a bit of banter.

“What I don’t love are the 2am phone calls to respond to a situation, especially when you’re dreaming about eating mangoes on a beach in Jamaica.”

The Harbourmaster’s office looks after the local regulation of maritime safety on navigable waterways for the region (lakes, rivers, and coastal waters out to 12 nautical miles).

This includes shipping at Napier Port, Rocket Lab hazard area reservations, commercial and recreational activities in the Ahuriri Inner Harbour, approving and monitoring maritime events on public waterways, monitoring compliance with the Navigation Safety Bylaws, and public engagement to improve safety on the water.

“And asking boaties for snapper and crays when they get back to the ramp,” he said with a laugh.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.