New lifejacket rules in New Zealand: who must wear one from 9 October 2026

2017 bylaw (in force), clause 2.1: on vessels 6 m or under, everyone must wear a properly secured, correctly sized lifejacket (PFD) at all times while underway. The only exception is a tender within 200 m of shore, where the person in charge, after assessing the circumstances, may expressly allow it to be removed. All vessels must carry enough lifejackets in good condition, of the right size, in a readily accessible place. Everyone must wear one in heightened risk: tides, river flows, poor visibility, rough seas, bad weather, crossing a bar, emergencies. Anyone being towed must wear one, and the council says jet ski riders must always wear one. Exemptions: board sports with a wetsuit or a leash suited to the conditions; divers on boats under 6 m within 5 nm wearing a wetsuit; approved sporting events. The adopted 2025 bylaw (not yet in force) removes the tender exception and adds a SUP exemption within 200 m of shore with a leash.

Bylaw (clauses 18–21): the person in charge must carry a properly sized, working lifejacket (PFD) for everyone on board, in a readily accessible place. On recreational vessels 6 m or under, everyone must wear one at all times, unless the person in charge specifically says it need not be worn after considering the circumstances and finding no reduction in safety. The Harbourmaster can override that. On all recreational vessels, lifejackets must be worn in times of heightened risk (tides, fog, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies) and when crossing a bar, for example the Manukau or Kaipara bars. Anyone being towed must wear one. Exceptions: SUP riding breaking waves with a leash, and sailboards or kiteboards with a wetsuit.

Bylaw clause 2.7: on vessels 6 m or under, the skipper must make sure everyone wears a properly secured, correctly sized lifejacket (PFD) while the vessel is underway. There is no skipper discretion. When not underway, enough lifejackets must stay readily accessible. On vessels over 6 m, the skipper must carry a lifejacket for everyone in an accessible place, and everyone must wear one from 200 m before to 200 m after crossing a bar, and whenever there is risk (tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies). People on board must also wear one if the skipper says so. Anyone being towed must wear one. Exceptions: windsurfers and kitesurfers in a wetsuit, a SUP riding breaking waves with a leg rope, divers on boats 6 m or under within 5 nm wearing a full dive suit, and supervised sporting events.

From 1 October 2026 (Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024), everyone on board any recreational craft 6 m or under must wear a correctly fitting lifejacket while underway. This includes paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis, dinghies, trailer sailors and powerboats. Anyone being towed must wear a securely fastened lifejacket. All vessels must carry enough correctly fitting lifejackets for everyone. Lifejackets must be worn in heightened risk, such as crossing a bar, rough weather or emergencies. SUPs in the surf are exempt from the lifejacket and communications rules if a leash is worn. BoPRC describes the rule as consistent with the national rule from 9 October 2026.

Bylaw clause 2.2: everyone on board a vessel 6 m or under must wear a properly secured lifejacket (PFD) at all times while it is making way, unless the harbourmaster has given prior written approval (for example for ceremonial purposes). There is no skipper discretion. Everyone on a PWC (jet ski) or being towed, even below 5 knots, must wear one. Part 91 exemptions apply. On vessels over 6 m, a correctly sized lifejacket must be carried for everyone (Maritime Rule 91.4).

Carry: a recreational craft may only be used if it carries a lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board, in a readily accessible place (cl. 8(1)). Wear: on any recreational craft 6 m or less overall, everyone must wear a properly secured lifejacket while the craft is underway – the bylaw has no 'skipper may waive' exception (cl. 8(2)). On any recreational craft, lifejackets must be worn whenever there is a risk to safety (tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies) (cl. 8(3)). Anyone being towed must wear one (cl. 8(7)–(8)). Exemptions: surfboards riding waves; sailboarders (incl. kitesurfers, wing sailors) in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less within 5 NM of shore; supervised sport/training; surfboard-type unpowered craft used with a leash within 200 m of shore (cl. 8(4)).

Wear: everyone on board a pleasure craft 6 m or less must wear a properly secured personal flotation device of appropriate size when the vessel is underway (cl. 17.1). On pleasure craft over 6 m, anyone must wear one when the person in charge instructs it (cl. 17.2). The person in charge is responsible for carriage and wearing of lifejackets (cl. 16.2); the carriage rule itself comes from Maritime Rules Part 91 (a lifejacket of the right size for each person). Exemptions: surfboards or similar non-motorised craft; board sports (incl. windsurfing, kiteboarding, SUP, surfing, foiling) if a wetsuit is worn at all times; recreational divers in a full wetsuit on craft 6 m or less within 5 miles of shore; supervised sport/training (cl. 17.3). The council's safety page adds that wearing is also legally required at times of heightened risk (bar crossings, strong tides, rough water, emergencies).

No regional lifejacket clause: the bylaw adopts Maritime Rules Part 91 as part of the bylaws (cl. 5.1). So, under Part 91: the skipper must carry a lifejacket of the right type and size for each person on board, and ensure they are worn at times of heightened risk (bar crossings, rough water, emergencies, non-swimmers) and by anyone being towed. Outside the Port Taranaki harbour limits, Maritime NZ (Part 91) applies directly.

Carry: no master of a recreational craft may use it unless there are on board, in a readily accessible place, enough personal flotation devices of an appropriate size for each person (cl. 4.1.1). Wear: everyone must wear a properly secured PFD when tides, river flows, visibility, rough water, adverse weather, emergencies or other situations cause danger (cl. 4.1.5); anyone being towed must wear one (cl. 4.1.6). The bylaw has NO compulsory wearing rule for small craft. Exemptions: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboards/windsurfers in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less within 5 miles of shore; supervised sport/training; events with a support vessel (cl. 4.1.2–4.1.4). Horizons' bylaw page also reminds users that 'life jackets are to be worn' (in its water ski/jet ski areas summary).

Carry: a pleasure craft may only be used if it carries a lifejacket of appropriate size for each person, readily accessible (cl. 2.1.1). Wear: on any recreational craft 6 m or less overall, everyone must wear a properly secured lifejacket while underway (cl. 2.1.2); when not underway they must still be worn unless the skipper expressly allows removal and considers there is no significant reduction in safety (cl. 2.1.3). On any pleasure craft, lifejackets must be worn when tides, river flows, rough seas, bad weather, poor visibility or emergencies create danger (cl. 2.1.10), and by anyone being towed (cl. 2.1.8). Exemptions: surfboards riding breaking waves; sailboarders (incl. kitesurfers, wing sailors) in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less within 5 NM of shore; supervised sport/training (cl. 2.1.4); paddle craft, body boards and surfboards used with a suitable leash within 200 m of shore are exempt from the underway wear rule (cl. 2.1.5).

Bylaw cl 7. Pleasure craft 6 m or less: while underway everyone must wear a properly secured, correctly sized PFD (no skipper waiver); when not underway, enough correctly sized PFDs must be on board and readily accessible. Vessels over 6 m: enough lifejackets for everyone, and everyone must wear one if the person in charge says so (Part 91 heightened-risk wearing still applies). Exceptions (unless the Harbourmaster or an enforcement officer directs otherwise): people exempted under Maritime Rules Part 91 or by the Director of Maritime NZ; sporting, training, customary or ceremonial events with a support vessel carrying enough PFDs. Council flyer: jet ski riders, kayakers and SUP users must wear a correctly fitted lifejacket/PFD.

Bylaw cl 2.7. Carry: no recreational vessel may be used unless there are enough lifejackets/PFDs of the right size for everyone on board, readily accessible. Wear: on any recreational vessel or novel craft 6 m or less, the person in charge must ensure everyone wears a properly secured, correctly sized lifejacket – no skipper waiver; the only general exception is someone sleeping below deck while the vessel is at anchor, berthed or moored. On any recreational vessel everyone must wear one when tides, river flows, rough seas, bad weather, poor visibility or emergencies create risk. Anyone being towed must wear one. Exemptions (unless the Harbourmaster directs otherwise): surfboards and similar unpowered craft riding waves or paddling between Tahunanui Beach and the black buoys with a leg/waist leash; sailboarders, kiteboarders and windsurfers wearing a wetsuit or buoyancy vest; divers in a wetsuit/drysuit (except in transit); divers on boats 6 m or less within 5 miles of shore in a full body suit; supervised sport; other Part 91 exemptions. Council's watersports page: kayakers and SUP users must carry and wear a correctly fitting lifejacket/PFD at all times (SUPs in the surf with a leash exempt).

Bylaw cl 3.2. Pleasure craft 6 m or less: everyone must wear a properly secured, correctly sized PFD while the craft is underway or preparing to get underway (no skipper waiver); when not underway, enough PFDs must stay readily accessible. Pleasure craft over 6 m: a correctly sized PFD for everyone, readily accessible, and everyone must wear one whenever there is any risk (tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies); everyone must also wear one if the master says so. The master and anyone being towed are both responsible for the towed person wearing a PFD. Exemptions only for people exempted under Maritime Rules Part 91 or by the Director of Maritime NZ, and for events the council exempts in writing (Schedule 2).

No regional wear rule found – national Maritime Rules Part 91 apply: carry a correctly sized lifejacket for everyone on board and wear them at times of heightened risk (e.g. bar crossings, rough water, emergencies). Greymouth Port Bylaw 2014 cl 9.11: the master and crew of any vessel approaching the Greymouth bar must wear a well-fitting Type 401 lifejacket (manual inflatable or semi-rigid foam) or a Type 408 PFD from at least 200 m before crossing the bar until 200 m after crossing it.

Bylaw cl 5(1): everyone on board a recreational vessel 6 m or less must wear a properly secured PFD of the right size and type for the activity while the vessel is underway (ECan: at all times except when tied up or at anchor). No skipper waiver. Exemptions (unless the Harbourmaster, an enforcement officer or a constable directs otherwise): people exempted under Maritime Rules Part 91 or by the Director of Maritime NZ; people on non-powered vessels on the Avon River/Ōtākaro between the Antigua Boat Sheds and the footbridge near the Botanic Gardens café; written Harbourmaster exemptions. Part 91 carriage (a lifejacket for everyone) and heightened-risk wearing still apply. Motunau: everyone must wear a PFD when navigating the channel to or from the open sea.

Bylaw cl 7: everyone on board a vessel 6 m or less (length overall) must wear a properly secured, correctly sized PFD at all times – BUT the person in charge may expressly authorise someone not to wear one after assessing there is no reduction in safety (cl 7(2)); people below deck are exempt unless told to wear one; supervised sport exempt. Everyone (any size vessel) must wear one in risky conditions – tides, river flows, poor visibility, rough seas, bad weather, crossing a bar, emergencies – and when being towed (cl 7(5)). Exempt: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboarders/windsurfers (incl. kiteboards, wing and foil craft) wearing a wetsuit; divers on boats ≤6 m within 5 miles of shore in a full wetsuit; visiting foreign teams; supported events. Carriage (ORC rules): enough correctly sized, accessible PFDs for everyone whenever underway. ORC's website now states that from 9 October 2026 lifejackets must be worn on ALL recreational craft 6 m or less (jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies, sailboats, powerboats).

The bylaw's skipper-waiver (cl 7(2)) conflicts with the national rule from that date.

Bylaw cl 2.1. Carry: no recreational craft may be used unless enough correctly sized PFDs in good condition are on board and readily accessible. Wear: every person on board a craft 6 m or less must wear a properly secured PFD (no skipper waiver); on any recreational craft everyone must wear one when tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, bad weather or emergencies create risk. People being towed must wear one (except towing under 5 knots or approved sport). Exempt: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboarders, kiteboarders and windsurfers in a wetsuit; divers on boats ≤6 m within 5 miles of shore in a full dive suit; approved supervised sport; visiting foreign teams; SUP riders riding breaking waves with a leg rope; commercial rafts. Paddle craft may use a 'paddle craft only' buoyancy aid marked as set out in cl 2.1.9. ES summary: lifejackets must be worn in vessels 6 m and under, carried in all vessels and worn at times of heightened risk.

Carry: a recreational craft may only be used if it carries a lifejacket of appropriate size and type for each person, readily accessible (cl. 2.6.2). Wear: on recreational craft under 6 m powered by motor and/or sail, everyone must wear a properly secured lifejacket while underway (cl. 2.7.2). On craft under 6 m propelled only by oars or paddles, lifejackets must be worn while underway unless the person in charge (over 15) expressly allows otherwise and considers there is no significant increase in risk (cl. 2.7.3). On any recreational craft, lifejackets must be worn when tides, river flows, rough seas, bad weather, poor visibility (incl. darkness) or emergencies create danger (cl. 2.7.1), and by anyone being towed (cl. 2.7.4). Exemptions: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboarders, windsurfers and kitesurfers in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less; supervised sport/training; visiting foreign teams (cl. 2.7.5).