Auckland Council is reviewing the Auckland Navigation Bylaw 2021. We’re advocating for removing skipper discretion and making it clear that people must wear lifejackets on recreational watercraft when underway. Sign up to stay informed and help save lives in Tamaki Makaurau.
Drownings aren’t statistics - they’re people.
Wearing a lifejacket is one of the simplest ways to protect the people we care about.
Auckland’s 3,200 km of coastline includes three major harbours (Waitematā, Manukau, Kaipara) and everything from sandy surf beaches to gulf islands and sheltered bays. Every year, thousands of us fish, paddle, sail, and explore these waters - and too many lives are lost when lifejackets aren’t worn.
This consultation is
a chance to help create
a safer future on the water
for everyone.
a chance to help create
a safer future on the water
for everyone.
What's happening
Auckland Council is reviewing the Auckland Navigation Bylaw 2021.
Right now, the bylaw requires lifejackets on vessels 6 metres and under, unless the person in charge gives permission not to wear one.
This “permission not to wear” clause often creates confusion and undermines safety.
Our preferred position is:
While a vessel* is underway, each person on board should be wearing a properly secured fit-for-purpose personal flotation device or lifejacket - with sensible exceptions when the vessel is stationary, and the risk is low (eg, moored).
Public consultation is expected in May 2026.
Sign up now to stay updated and be ready to have your say.
*When we talk about “vessels”, it means all small recreational craft such as boats, dinghies, tenders, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, stand‑up paddleboards, to name a few.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- Since 2000, 87% of watercraft fatalities in Auckland involved no lifejacket worn*.
- In recent years (2021–2025), this has risen to 100% - every fatality involved no lifejacket.*
- Many adults overestimate their ability in real open‑water conditions.
- Skipper discretion isn’t working - too many people are still going without lifejackets.
- Wearing a lifejacket dramatically increases your chance of survival.
*Source: Water Safety New Zealand
The change we'd like to see
Although our preference is for the bylaw to include all recreational craft, the Council’s existing bylaw - and others nationwide - use the 6‑metre threshold. For clarity and consistency, we’re aligning with this approach.
-
01
For vessels 6 metre or less in length
Everyone on board must wear a properly secured, fit-for-purpose lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) while the vessel is underway, with sensible exceptions when the vessel is stationary, and the risk is low (eg, moored). -
02
For larger vessels over 6 metres in length
Lifejackets of an appropriate size that securely fit each person must be in a readily accessible location, and (as per current bylaw) lifejackets continue to be worn in times of heightened risk (eg, crossing bars, rough conditions, poor visibility).
How to have your say
Expected consultation timeline
May2026 - Public consultation opens.
Sign up for updates
We’ll email you when consultation opens and share tips and templates to help make a submission.
Frequently asked questions
-
What's the current bylaw?
- The person in charge of a recreational vessel must, at the time of use, have sufficient personal floatation devices for each person on board.
- Personal floatation devices must be worn in times of heightened risk.
- A person on a recreational vessel of six metres or less in length overall must at all times wear a properly secured personal floatation device of an appropriate size for that person. However, does not apply if the person in charge of the vessel specifically states that the device does not need to be worn.
You can read the full Auckland Navigation Bylaw here.
-
What's the proposed bylaw?
Auckland Council will release the proposed bylaw amendments in May 2026 when submissions open. Based on sector discussions, we hope to see mandatory lifejacket wearing for everyone on recreational watercraft whenever underway, with clear stationary‑only exceptions, such as when moored.
-
Is what's proposed consistent with other regions?
Yes. Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Marlborough already require lifejacket wearing while underway on vessels 6 metres and under, and Northland and Bay of Plenty are moving to align. Aligning Auckland reduces confusion across boundaries.
-
Why change the bylaw at all?
Because preventable drownings continue under the current rules. Incidents happen fast, leaving no time to put on a lifejacket. Our watercraft fatalities are not decreasing and something must be done so that we can reduce these preventable drownings and the heartbreak that occurs when that happens.
-
What is a recreational craft?
A recreational craft is any vessel used for leisure rather than commercial purposes. This includes small and large boats, dinghies, and manually powered craft.
Examples: powerboats, yachts, dinghies, kayaks, canoes, tenders, paddleboards.
The term “recreational” refers to how the craft is used, not just its size. While some safety rules differentiate based on length (eg, stricter requirements for vessels 6 m and under), our preference is that mandatory lifejacket use should apply to all recreational craft, regardless of size.
-
Shouldn't it be up to the skipper to decide?
Everybody on board should have the right to feel safe. Evidence shows adults overestimate their water competence; conditions can change quickly; and many incidents occur close to shore on “quick” trips. Even the most experienced skippers get caught out. Mandatory wearing removes any guesswork around what deems to be a risky situation and factors in the unexpected, which happens more often than you think.
-
Why does vessel length matter?
Although our preference is for the bylaw to include recreational craft of all sizes, as incidents happen on all-sized craft, the Council’s existing bylaw - and others nationwide - use the 6‑metre threshold as this tends to be where most fatalities occur. For clarity and consistency, we’re aligning with this approach.
National rules require lifejackets to be carried and worn in heightened risk on vessels over 6 metres.
We’re campaigning for broader national legislation that would create clear, consistent lifejacket rules for all recreational craft, regardless of size. Stronger national settings would help ensure everyone on the water is protected by the same simple expectation.
-
What about when the vessel is stationary?
For practicality, we recommend allowing skipper discretion to remove lifejackets in clearly safe circumstances, such as when a vessel is moored or passengers are sleeping. This provides clarity while still recognising the realities of boating and the need for reasonable flexibility.
However, while the vessel is not underway, sufficient lifejackets of an appropriate size to securely fit each person on board must remain in a readily accessible location.
-
Do lifejackets really help? People have drowned while wearing them.
Yes! Craft users are three times more likely to survive if wearing a lifejacket. Fatalities where lifejackets were worn often involve other factors (e.g., fast-flowing rivers, incorrect fit, failure to secure straps, medical events or inflatable jackets not activated). Properly fitted lifejackets dramatically improve survival chances as they keep you afloat, help raise your head above the waterline to reduce the risk of drowning, and provide warmth.
-
Are there any exceptions or exemptions?
There are practical reasons users such as surfers, windsurfers, divers on small dive boats and some adventure sports are not required to wear a lifejacket, eg, when a wetsuit is worn. We suggest these existing exemptions remain.
Who's involved
This campaign is led by Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau (WOTM), including:
Sign up for updates
We’ll email you when consultation opens and share tips and templates to help make a submission.