NZ's new lifejacket law, in plain terms

October 1, 2026

From Friday 9 October 2026, everyone on board a recreational boat 6 metres or under has to wear a lifejacket whenever the boat is underway. It's the first time New Zealand has had one national wearing rule. Until now it depended on which regional council's water you were on, and roughly half the councils had a wearing bylaw of some kind.

The change comes from the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Act, which Parliament passed unanimously in early September.

What the rule says

Which boats: recreational craft 6 m or under in length. That covers runabouts, tinnies, dinghies, small trailer boats, jet skis, kayaks, small sailboats and paddleboards.
Who: every person aboard, not just the kids or the non-swimmers.
When: whenever the boat is underway, meaning it isn't anchored, made fast to the shore or aground. Drifting while you fish counts as underway.
Where: everywhere in New Zealand waters, including shallow water and close to shore.
What counts: a properly fitted lifejacket or approved personal flotation device of the right size. Inflatables and foam vests both qualify.

Who carries the can

The skipper. Maritime NZ's message is that the skipper is responsible for everyone on board wearing a jacket that fits. The days of "they're under the seat if we need them" are over on small boats.

Exemptions

The existing exemptions in Maritime Rule Part 91 stay in place. The main ones:

surfboards and similar unpowered craft (stand-up paddleboard surfing is treated the same way)
windsurfers wearing a wetsuit
divers on a boat 6 m or under, used for recreational diving within 5 nautical miles of shore, if a full-body wetsuit is worn
people training for or racing in a sporting event run under an approved national sporting organisation's safety system

If your situation isn't on that list, wear the jacket.

Bigger boats

Over 6 m, nothing new. You still have to carry a lifejacket of the right size for every person aboard, somewhere it can be reached quickly. Wearing one is still the skipper's call, but it's a good call when you're crossing a bar, out at night, alone, or when the weather turns.

Fines

No infringement fee for the new wearing rule had been published as of 1 October 2026. Maritime NZ says the early focus is education, not ticketing, and that enforcement will come from Maritime NZ, the Police and regional harbourmasters. We'll update this article when a fee is set. Regional bylaws still cover things like local speed and zoning rules, so check your harbourmaster's rules for the water you use.

Why now

Seventeen people died in recreational craft incidents in New Zealand in 2025. Twelve of them weren't wearing a lifejacket. In 2024, 18 of the 20 people who drowned in craft-related incidents weren't wearing one. Officials estimate the rule could save about 10 lives a year.

Making it easy on board

Fit it before you leave the ramp. A jacket that rides up over your chin in the water isn't doing its job. Do up every strap and crotch strap.
Inflatables are easier to wear all day. Check the gas cylinder and the indicator before each trip and service them on schedule.
Kids' sizes are by weight. Check the label against the child, not their age.
Keep spares. Visitors turn up without one. Several councils and coastguard units run free lifejacket libraries. Ask your local harbourmaster.

The first summer

The rule is new to most skippers, and the busy weeks from Christmas to Waitangi Day will be its first real test. Expect harbourmasters at the busy ramps. A boat full of people wearing jackets also tells everyone else at the ramp what normal looks like now.

Sources

boatingnz.co.nz — Act name, 6 m and under, every person aboard while moving, enforcement by Maritime NZ, Police and harbourmasters
1news.co.nz — in force Friday 9 October; skipper responsible; applies in shallow water and close to shore; education first
1news.co.nz — "underway" means not anchored, made fast to shore or aground; boats over 6 m must carry, not wear
scoop.co.nz — 9 October 2026 start; 6 m or less; Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Act
newswire.co.nz — passed unanimously; one national rule replacing the regional patchwork; existing exemptions retained
sunlive.co.nz — third reading 2 Sept 2026; replaces regional bylaws in Waikato, Northland, Bay of Plenty, Auckland; 18 of 20 craft drownings in 2024 not wearing
maritimenz.govt.nz — Maritime Rule 91.4 carriage duty and the list of existing exclusions