To become a harbour pilot you need to have a certificate of competency as Master of a Foreign Going Ship. This is gained through a minimum of four years of sea service and completion of certificate-based courses that include practical components. You also need to have a pilot's licence for the port where the work is needed. Further information regarding seagoing qualifications is available from Maritime New Zealand.

Harbour pilots also need to have a current medical certificate (category A or B).

There are no specific secondary education requirements. However, merchant navy deck officer trainees who plan to progress on to harbour pilot work need to have at least Sixth Form or NCEA equivalent English, maths and physics to enter tertiary training.

Skills are gained on the job. Trainee harbour pilots undertake a set pilotage training programme approved by Maritime New Zealand. This involves some classroom theory on maritime practices, instruction from senior harbour pilots, and building up experience on vessels of all shapes and sizes.

Seafaring experience, such as working on a variety of coastal and foreign going vessels, is essential for harbour pilots, as is experience working in a job with irregular hours. An interest in ships, small boats, or knowledge of a particular port is also useful.