Mean High Water and Mean High Water Springs (MHWS)

Defining the position of MHWS is important as it is used to delineate the landward jurisdictional boundary of the coastal marine area (CMA) between the RMA and the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004.

The definition for MHWS from New Zealand Almanac, Maritime Transport Division is:

The average of the levels of each pair of successive high waters during that period of about 24 hours in each semi lunation (approximately every 14 days) when the range of tides is greatest.

See also Subdivision of land with tidal boundaries and methods of determining MHWS for related information.

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