An inspection of a Liberian-flagged ship that arrived in the port of Tauranga today has revealed 14 deficiencies relating to crew treatment and the ship's seaworthiness.
Maritime New Zealand says the Vega Auriga is expected to be in port for the next 24 hours and must resolve 11 out of the 14 deficiencies before it can leave.
The ship has been banned from Australia because of its treatment of workers and its unseaworthiness.
The Australian authorities found improper payment of wages, and inadequate living and working conditions for those employed on the vessel, and called it unseaworthy.
