The proposed strengthening of draft lifejacket legislation to include people of all ages is a great step, Water Safety New Zealand and Coastguard Tautiaki Moana say.
Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee today called for new submissions to the Lifejackets for Children and Young Persons Bill. In its original form, the potential law change focused on people under the age of 15 only.
Following strong submissions from water safety experts, including Water Safety New Zealand and Coastguard, the Committee has now sought and received permission to amend the ages applicable.
“The committee acknowledges that the proposed amendment is a significant deviation from the initial policy of the bill. Given this, the Chairperson is today calling for additional public submissions on the committee’s proposed amendment for a period of six-weeks.” – Transport and Infrastructure Committee
Water Safety Chief Executive Glen Scanlon says the shift can be celebrated, and the next few weeks are critical for saving lives.
“The evidence is just so strong. In the past 25 years a total of 441 lives were lost in craft-related incidents – the fact that 336 of these people were not wearing a lifejacket is just overwhelming. We can save lives through this legislation change. And we must.”
Complexity or confusion on the sizes of recreational vessels where lifejackets would be mandatory does need attention in future stages of the committee’s process.
Coastguard Chief Executive Carl McOnie says the water safety community has advocated for many years to amend New Zealand’s lifejacket rules.
“We absolutely welcome the move to extend lifejacket requirements to all ages. But limiting that protection to vessels six metres and under doesn’t make sense from a safety perspective. Vessel length isn’t a reliable indicator of risk – people unexpectedly end up in the water or drown on larger recreational vessels, and both children and adults are equally vulnerable.
“It’s difficult to justify a rule where a child must wear a lifejacket on a 5.9-metre boat, but not a 6.1-metre one.”
The Committee has heard compelling evidence during the submission process. Including first-hand accounts of boating accidents where adults on board, who were not wearing lifejackets drowned because they were not able to access or put on a lifejacket once in the water, while their children, who were wearing lifejackets survived.
Statistics presented show New Zealand averages 17 boating fatalities every year, with most deaths involving people who unexpectedly end up in the water. According to the Committee, the average age of these victims is 50 years.
Glen Scanlon: “Water Safety New Zealand and Coastguard are encouraging all New Zealanders to get involved here. We know that legislation works when it comes to reducing drowning risk - and this is another opportunity to push for change and help drive a once-in-a-generation drowning prevention reform. We urge New Zealanders to submit in support of a strengthened, universal and consistent national rule for all ages.”
Background to the Bill is here: Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill
The closing date for submissions is 11.59 pm Wednesday, 15 April 2026
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