Background and services

Welcome to the Mission to Seafarers Auckland

For over a century, the Mission to Seafarers has been a beacon of hope and support for seafarers navigating the world’s oceans. In Auckland, our mission is to ensure that every seafarer arriving at our shores feels welcomed, cared for, and valued.

Our Services

We understand the challenges faced by those working at sea: long months away from home, isolation, and the physical and emotional toll of life on board. At the Mission to Seafarers Auckland, we offer a range of services designed to meet these needs:

• A Welcoming Space: Our Seafarers’ Centre is a home away from home, providing a safe and comfortable environment to relax, recharge, and connect with others.
• Pastoral and Emotional Support: Our chaplains and volunteers are available to listen, offer guidance, and provide emotional and spiritual care regardless of faith or background.
• Practical Assistance: From free Wi-Fi and SIM cards to help you stay in touch with family, to transport services for shopping and local errands, we are here to make your time ashore as smooth as possible.
• Emergency Support: In cases of distress, injury, or injustice, we work tirelessly to advocate for and assist seafarers in need.
• Recreational Facilities: Our centre offers a space to unwind with games, books, and entertainment options.

Our History

The Mission to Seafarers is part of a global organization with a storied history of service to seafarers.

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  The Seafarers Building

  International Beginnings: Founded in the mid-19th century in England, the Mission to Seafarers, popularly known as the Flying Angel, has grown into a worldwide network of care, operating in 50 countries. The Mission has always been committed to providing holistic care, recognizing the unique challenges faced by seafarers. In 1856 Anglican clergyman John Ashley went on his holidays to Bristol, rowed out to visit ships, and was appalled by the conditions in which the seafarers lived and worked. He gave up his parish to work fulltime in Bristol, setting up the mission which now operates in almost 300 ports around the world.
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• National Presence: In New Zealand, the Mission has supported maritime workers for decades, reflecting the nation’s deep connection to the sea. Each port-based mission is tailored to meet the specific needs of its local and visiting seafarers. In 1898 James Moore, an Anglican lay preacher, was sent to New Zealand to establish the Wellington branch of the Mission, the first Mission to be established in New Zealand. In 1903 the first Missions to Seamen building was built on the corner of Stout and Whitmore Streets with funds provided by Mary Williams.
   In 2010 there were Missions to Seamen in seven New Zealand ports, providing social facilities and interdenominational church services. The organisation changed its name to the Missions to Seafarers in 2000.

• Auckland’s Contribution: In Auckland, our history dates back to the early 20th century. From 1919 to 1980 the welfare organisation was greatly assisted by female volunteers, who belonged to either the Harbour Lights Guild or its junior arm, the Younger Set. The women fundraised with jumble sales and fairs, and dispatched books to lighthouse keepers and their families; they sent seamen Christmas and sympathy cards, gave them home-cooked meals, took them on outings, and visited them in hospital or in gaol. Our mission has evolved alongside the city’s growth as a major maritime hub. Today, we are proud to continue this legacy, offering care and support to the thousands of seafarers who pass through our port each year. Built in 1970, The Seafarers Building contains the Auckland International Seafarers’ Centre, which includes the Mariners Memorial Chapel of St Peter. It is one of Britomart’s few buildings of the late Modernist era.  The Mission moved to its present home due to redevelopment of the former site on the corner of Lower Hobson Street and Sturdee Street. The new premises, also occupied by the Auckland Sailors’ Home (who have since moved to 52 Port Street) from 1887, was erected by the Auckland Harbour Board, and opened Saturday 18 March 1972 by the Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt.

The Mission to Seamen, c.1960, to the right of the Auckland Sailors’ Home

Join Us

Whether you’re a seafarer seeking assistance, a supporter wanting to contribute, or simply interested in learning more about our work, we invite you to be part of our community. Together, we can ensure that Auckland remains a place where seafarers feel welcomed and supported.

For more information, please contact us or visit the Seafarers’ Centre in Auckland. We look forward to meeting you!

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The Mission, just prior to COVID.