The New Zealand Maritime School has been developed over the past 70 years to become the premier provider of maritime training in New Zealand. The School overlooks the waterfront in downtown Auckland, an ideal location for students, being at the hub of commercial boating, shipping and other maritime activities, is easily accessible by public transport from any part of Auckland, and is very close to a large range of inexpensive accommodation.

The School is staffed by a team of dedicated lecturers who have extensive teaching and maritime industry experience. Each lecturer's specialised knowledge and experience is used to provide you with the highest standard of tuition. The School has always attracted students from throughout New Zealand and overseas. Its reputation as a centre of excellence in maritime training extends well beyond Auckland.

The School has existed under various names, which suited its activities and status at the time. In 1980, all foreign-going training became the responsibility of the School, then under Ministry of Transport control and known as the Auckland Nautical School. Since then, the School has developed to provide a total range of maritime training for all grades of nautical qualifications, from small pleasure launches and sailing craft to a master mariner, qualified to command any size of merchant ship anywhere in the world.

In 1989 the School came under the responsibility of the Education Department and was transferred from the Ministry of Transport to Manukau Institute of Technology. In 1992 the School took a major step forward in providing a wide range of shipping and freight courses for personnel working ashore as well as at sea. The location and mix of students provide everyone with an interesting and vibrant environment for technical study, and an appreciation of the employment opportunities in the maritime industry.

The New Zealand Maritime School is continually expanding its range of courses and resources to provide the highest quality of training. An electronics laboratory provides opportunity for computer training, hands-on and simulator training in radio communications equipment and navigational aids. In 1998 a full mission simulator was installed, providing the opportunity to learn and practise shiphandling techniques for vessels ranging in size from fishing boats to super-tankers.