9 October 2026 - From today, everyone on board a recreational craft six metres or less, must now wear a properly fitted lifejacket, while the craft is underway.
This is a significant change and will improve safety on recreational craft.
Tragically, on average 17 people a year die in recreational craft incidents. Around two thirds are not wearing properly fitted lifejackets.
The Safer Boating Forum is welcoming the new national requirement and have a simple message for everyone heading out on the water: put your lifejacket on before you get underway.
Safer Boating Forum Chair, Sharyn Forsyth says the sector is looking forward to seeing more people wearing properly fitted lifejackets whenever they use small recreational craft.
“Lifejackets save lives. From today, wearing one is not only the safe choice; it is required on recreational craft six metres or less while underway.
“Forum members have worked together to support this positive change. We now want to see people make wearing a properly fitted lifejacket a normal part of every trip," she says.
Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, Chief Executive Carl McOnie says a lifejacket gives rescuers a better chance of bringing someone home.
“Things can go wrong quickly on the water. Our volunteers see first-hand the difference a lifejacket makes. It keeps you afloat and visible, buying vital time for help to reach you,” Mr McOnie says.
Water Safety New Zealand, Chief Executive Glen Scanlon, says the law change is a critical step for creating a lifejacket-wearing culture.
“A lifejacket cannot save your life if you are not wearing it. Today’s change will help make wearing a lifejacket as automatic in people’s minds as putting on a seatbelt in their vehicle. But, there’s plenty of work ahead to get there.”
Maritime NZ Principal Advisor, Recreational Craft, Matt Wood says the risk is just too great to ignore the importance of wearing a properly fitted lifejacket.
Before heading out people should check they have enough lifejackets on their vessels, that they are the right size for those heading out and should only go out if they have enough for everyone.
“Maritime NZ and the rest of the Safer Boating Forum wants everyone to enjoy their time on the water and come home safely. Wearing a lifejacket is a simple action that saves lives,” Matt Wood says.
The requirement applies across New Zealand to recreational craft including motorboats, dinghies, sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis, subject to existing exceptions. Existing requirements to carry enough correctly sized lifejackets, wear them at times of heightened risk and meet skipper safety responsibilities also continue.
Before heading out, wear a properly fitted lifejacket, carry two waterproof ways to call for help and check the marine weather forecast. Current guidance and frequently asked questions are available on the Maritime NZ website.
Compliance will be managed by an educational approach over the coming months. This will be supported by co-regulators such as harbourmasters and police.
About the Safer Boating Forum
The Safer Boating Forum is a national network of more than 30 organisations working together to reduce preventable harm on the water.
