To ensure that your booking is reserved, a $500.00 non-refundable deposit or 40%  of the total balance is now required to hold this date.
Our preferred method for deposits & final payments is by direct debit to our bank account. Credit card payments through our office incur a 3% surcharge. We will only hold your booking for 5 working days without a deposit being paid. (Transaction fees apply for Credit Cards) Full Payment should be made within 7 days of your charter. 

A invoice for your deposit will be sent via email on receipt of your completed booking confirmation below.

Bar tabs can also be paid by Credit card, Cash, or Eftpos on the day. We will hold a Credit card for security for all bar tabs. Credit cards incur a 3% processing fee. If you are not running a tab and your guests are buying their own drinks from the bar, please ensure they bring cash. Although we do have eftpos the reception is not always reliable on the water and may not work for drink purchases.

NOTE: To avoid disappointment please ensure you have booked at the Riverhead Tavern. You can do this by phoning (09) 412 8902 or by book@theriverhead.co.nz The Riverhead is a busy Venue and if you don’t book you may miss out. Deposits are not refundable if you have not booked with The Riverhead and find they can not fit you in.

Onboard Facilities

Please ensure you make yourself known to the crew on arrival.

Our vessels are fully licensed premises and therefore all bar and club rules apply on board at all times. You can enjoy our on board disco lights and music from our free on board sound system which operates spotify on line or you are welcome to bring your own ipod, Tablet, or laptop to plug into our speaker system.

Our onboard sound system is online and runs off spotify which has a range of music for young & old.

Our licensed bar is available on board for your convenience however if running a cash bar please ensure that all your guests bring cash as EFTPOS is not reliable once out on the water.

Note: Unfortunately due to our bar license we cannot allow customers to BYO alcohol. However we do have a range of Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages available for purchase at very reasonable prices, BYO Alcohol found on the Vessel may result in the charter being terminated.

Included in the cruise and as part of your charter fee we will provide complimentary nibbles on the cruise to the Riverhead which includes chips, dips, breads, pate, and an antipasto platter.

Bar Rules

Our vessels are Licensed premise’s and all normal bar rules apply. We will do our best to give you and your guests a great time and a memorable experience. We are however required by law to enforce the Sale of Liquor Act on board in the interests of maintaining our Bar license. We do periodically get boarded by the Maritime Police who undertake liquor licensing checks and may remove passengers who have had to much to drink. We carry a licensed bar manager on board who operates our bar and is required to deny service or entry to anyone who is intoxicated. By law we can not allow intoxicated passengers on board, or serve anyone intoxicated throughout the cruise.  We understand people like to have a drink before the charter however pre loading can cause intoxication problems on board and we ask that you remind your guests that they may be denied access on board if they have had to much to drink beforehand. The Riverhead is also a licensed premises and may deny access to intoxicated passengers. Please ensure your guests do not over do it at Riverhead or they may be denied access back on board the vessel.  In this instance a taxi will be arranged at their cost to transport them back to town. If someone is denied service and becomes aggressive or abusive towards our staff, we will terminate the charter in the interest of staff safety or in some circumstances they may be removed by the Maritime Police. If a number of passengers become intoxicated we may deem it to be a health and safety risk and terminate the charter. BYO alcohol is not permitted on board under our license and if found will result in the charter being terminated immediately. If we terminate the charter due to any of the above NO refund will be given.

Conduct on Board

Any problems regarding intoxication or disorderly behavior during the cruise will result in the charter being terminated with no refund as above.
Please ensure your guests abide by the current liquor licensing rules. No drugs or illicit substances are permitted on any of our charters and will result in the charter being terminated.
The Westhaven Carpark is monitored on CCTV an is an alcohol ban area. Please ensure your guests do not drink or loiter in the carpark or they may be fined.
We recommend arranging transport for your guests when we arrive back in Auckland to avoid any problems in the Westhaven carpark.
As part of our tenancy agreement at Westhaven we are required to give your details to Westhaven should any incidents occur on Westhaven property.
Due to our Bar license we can not allow intoxicated people to board the Vessel at Westhaven or at The Riverhead.
It is a maritime offense to tamper with any lifesaving apparatus on board including life jackets and life buoys. This may result in prosecution.
Under no circumstances is anyone to jump overboard even at the pier as this is highly dangerous. We are required to report this to Maritime New Zealand as part of our Company Health & Safety system which may lead to the person being prosecuted under section 65 of the Maritime Act.
Passengers are asked to respect the Vessel and equipment on board. Anyone caught damaging the Vessel will result in the charter being terminated with no refund and The Red boats seeking costs for damages.
Theft of any sort on the Vessel will not be tolerated in which case the Police would be called to board the boat. Passengers are not permitted to go behind the bar or into the staff areas on board. Helping yourself to the bar will be considered as thief.
Any sort of fighting, aggression, or abusive behavior on board will not be tolerated and will result in the charter being terminated with no refund and police charges being laid.

Health and Safety

We take Health and Safety seriously on board our Vessels. Our vessels are fully Licensed by Maritime New Zealand and we comply with all current Health and Safety legislation. Under the Health and Safety Act you are required to abide by all lawful instructions given by the Master and Crew on board. Please take care on board, use the handrails where provided, be aware of steps and uneven surfaces, and make yourself familiar with our safety procedures that will be outlined by the Master at the start of the Cruise. Please ensure you listen and understand the safety announcement. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing “No high heels or stilettos” and don’t forget sunblock if its a hot sunny day. Under the Health and Safety Act Customers hiring our Vessel for functions, are responsible and liable for the Safety and well being of their guests. This includes but is not limited to drinking and intoxication, as well as transport home. There are ways to manage this such as issuing drink tokens, supplying plenty of food, and ensuring taxis or alternative transport is arranged to get your staff or guests home. Please feel free to talk to us and we can help you with managing this. Under no circumstances is anyone to Jump overboard. This is not only dangerous but will most likely lead to prosecution. Passengers must stay inside the rails at all times and are not permitted to sit on hand railings or stand on the seats. This can result in injury or someone going overboard should the Vessel move unexpectedly. Please obey all signs on board and keep out of restricted areas. We want you to have the best possible time on our cruise with no incidents or accidents. If our crew is concerned about passenger safety we will terminate the charter.

Departure Point

MV Hogwash departs from Z Pier Westhaven Marina ~ unless other arrangements have been made. The Vessel will be available for boarding 20 mins prior to departure.
The Riverhead trip is tidal and our departure times are based on this. We allow 2.5 hours in the Tavern for dining and 3 hours over the Xmas period with our Bus & Boat option.
Please ensure your guests are on time as the vessel cannot wait at Riverhead or leave late from Westhaven due to the tidal constraints of this cruise.
We do offer a bus and boat option for groups who want to spend longer in the tavern, this must be organised at the time of booking.

Terms of trade

All Safety instructions and Health and Safety requirements must be followed at all times.
Time is based on booking start and finish times so please don’t be late as this will reduce the time your charter time! The full charter fee must be paid 7 days prior to departure. Bar tabs are to be paid prior to the vessel’s departure unless a Credit Card is given for security or other arrangements have been made.
Depending on the tides we may not be able to wait any longer than the booked time at The Riverhead. For exclusive hire of the vessel for the Riverhead cruise, a minimum of 30 passengers or minimum charge of $1290 is required.

During the Christmas period (14th November to 24th December) a minimum of 40 passengers or $1600.00 including the Bus is required.
The Red Boats reserve the right to terminate the charter at any time with no refund for any of the reasons outlined in the information on this page.

The Red Boats reserve the right to alter sailing times slightly due to operational requirements.
Charters are not confirmed until this confirmation form has been completed and your deposit has been paid.
By completing this Confirmation you are agreeing to all the conditions laid out on this page and accept responsibility for these.

Timings are estimated and the boat may run up to 15 minutes late at times depending on conditions and operational requirements.

Parking at Westhaven

Pay by plate parking is available and Pier Z. Parking costs $4 per hour or $32.00 for the day. Please pay attention to signage to ensure you are parking in the correct area (white lines) and paying the correct fee. For directions to Westhaven Marina, please see the map on your voucher or visit our website www.theredboats.co.nz

The Red boats accepts no responsibility if you choose to pay for less and receive a parking ticket if the boat is running late. Parking is your responsibility; The Red boats accepts no responsibility for customer parking.

We can pick up and drop off at other wharves by prior arrangement. This has to be booked with Auckland Transport so we do need to be advised of this when booking. (Charges Apply)

Booking form

Please fill in the details below to ensure we have everything is in order for your Riverhead cruise & submit the form by clicking below.