The Environment Minister is considering whether tightening regulation on air pollution from cruise ships is required.
It comes as the Auckland Council says low-grade fuel emissions are adding to the city's air pollution problems.
The chairman of the Auckland Council's environment and susutainability forum, Wayne Walker, says limited monitoring shows elevated pollution levels at the city's waterfront.
Mr Walker says the government needs to improve its relationship with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and support its position on air quality emissions.
The chairperson of Cruise New Zealand, Craig Harris, says New Zealand will eventually have to accept the same international regulations enforced by the US Government.
That would ban ships using sulphur-heavy fuels from coming within 200 nautical miles of its coast.
