Water Safety NZ chief executive Glen Scanlon spoke to Breakfast about the changes. (Source: Breakfast)
Just wear it
The Lifejackets on Recreational Craft Amendment Act is in effect from Friday 9 October 2026. People on recreational craft six metres or less in length must now wear a properly fitted lifejacket while the craft is underway, unless a specific exclusion applies. This is a significant change and will improve safety on recreational craft.
The rule applies on all waterways across New Zealand, inshore and offshore, from lakes, rivers and streams to the waters off our coast. It covers recreational craft such as jet skis, dinghies, sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards and motorboats.
“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.”
Carl McOnie, Chief Executive, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana
Before you head out
Make sure you and any passengers are wearing a correctly fitted lifejacket, take two waterproof ways to call for help, and check the marine weather forecast.
More information: Maritime NZ lifejacket changes · Coastguard NZ lifejacket changes
Your questions answered
Answers from Maritime NZ, the government agency responsible for the new rule. Last updated by Maritime NZ on 8 October 2026. For the latest version, visit the Maritime NZ website.
What changes to lifejacket wearing rules come into effect on 9 October 2026?
From 9 October 2026, everyone on board recreational craft of 6 metres in length and under will have to wear lifejackets while those craft are underway. The new rule will apply everywhere in New Zealand.
Currently, lifejackets must be worn on any recreational craft, regardless of size, at times of heightened risk and by a person being towed (for example, someone water skiing or wakeboarding). These requirements will continue to apply.
What is a lifejacket?
A lifejacket is a buoyancy aid that meets an approved standard – either NZS 5823, or an international standard deemed substantially compliant by the Director of Maritime NZ.
NZS 5823 defines different types of lifejackets (401 to 406).
The term ‘personal flotation device’ has now been replaced with ‘lifejacket’ but the definition has not changed otherwise.
How do I measure my boat?
To work out your boat's length, measure it from the very front (bow) to the very back (stern). This is called the length overall (LOA).
If you are not sure, the boat's length overall is often included in the model name shown on the side of the boat.
Include anything that is a permanent part of the boat's structure, such as:
- bulbous bows below the waterline
- deckhouses or cabins
- fixed bait tanks
- buoyancy tubes on inflatable boats and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs)
- other structural parts that are built into the boat.
Do not include fittings, equipment, or accessories that extend beyond the bow or stern of the boat, such as:
- rub rails or beltings
- bow rollers
- booms
- bowsprits
- outboard rudders
- swim or boarding platforms
- gantries
- trim tabs
- outboard motors or jet drive units
- any other removable fittings or equipment.
Remember: Measure only the boat's permanent structure, not accessories or equipment attached to it. This gives you the boat's length overall (LOA).
Who can enforce this?
The specific national offences and penalties for this new requirement, to wear a lifejacket on a recreational craft 6m or less while underway, have not been created yet. They will likely be in place in a few months.
Once the offences have been created, they can be enforced by police, regional councils, harbourmasters and various Maritime NZ employees, alongside other maritime rules.
There are also existing offences that might be considered in some situations, such as offences for causing unnecessary danger or risk under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.
Some regions already have existing navigational safety bylaws with offences for lifejacket wearing. The offences associated with bylaws that are consistent with the new Maritime Rule Part 91 are able to be applied.
Existing offences for carriage of lifejackets and wearing at times of increased risk have not changed.
Who will the new lifejacket wearing rule apply to?
The new lifejacket wearing rule will apply to any person on any recreational craft six metres and under in length while the craft is underway, unless a specific exclusion applies.
Recreational craft include (but are not limited to): paddleboards, small launches, yacht tenders, personal watercraft, recreational motor and sailing craft including trailer-sailers.
Where does this apply?
This law change will apply to recreational craft activities on all waterways; inshore and offshore.
These range from lakes, streams and rivers through to being off New Zealand’s coast.
What about recreational craft longer than 6 meters?
Existing requirements relating to lifejackets are not changing (including where specific exclusions apply). This means:
- on all recreational craft; lifejackets must be carried in sufficient numbers for all passengers.
- for all recreational craft, lifejackets that are properly secured and of an appropriate size, and when people are being towed for activities such as water skiing and wakeboarding, they have to wear a lifejacket.
- on all recreational craft, the skipper is responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone on board the craft.
From 9 October 2026 – in addition to the above rules – everyone on board recreational craft 6 metres in length and under will have to wear lifejackets whenever those craft are underway.
Why has this change been made?
Research shows smaller craft have a higher risk profile and are over-represented in boating fatalities and serious harm incidents.
A nationwide requirement to wear a lifejacket will make it clear to recreational craft users what they need to do while on the water. It will strengthen safe behaviour and help more people come home safely.
The change creates one clear and consistent rule for people using small recreational craft, wherever they are in New Zealand.
Craft six metres and under cover most types of recreational craft used on the water, including small boats, kayaks, dinghies and jetskis.
What exclusions are there?
There are a number of existing exclusions to current lifejacket requirements provided under Maritime Rule Part 91.4 (2) as follows:
- A surfboard or similar unpowered craft
- A sailboarder or windsurfer if a wetsuit is worn
- A diver on a boat 6m and under used for recreational diving within 5 miles of shore, if a wetsuit is worn
- A person training for or participating in a supervised sporting event as approved by the Director of Maritime NZ
- A member of a visiting foreign water sports team (if they carry a lifejacket approved for use by the competent authority in their country of residence)
- A commercial raft
- A person being towed if they are training for or participating in certain events or being towed at less than 5 knots.
- There are further exceptions for certain types of supervised sporting, training and ceremonial events where a support vessel is provided.
These exceptions may also apply to users of recreational craft impacted by the new lifejacket wearing rule.
In addition, the new lifejacket wearing rule creates a specific exclusion for people engaged in recreational swimming from a recreational craft (of any size) - for more information see the question about swimming below.
Stand up paddleboarding
The new lifejacket wearing rule is also bringing an existing exemption for Stand up paddleboarding surfing (SUP surfing) into Maritime Rule Part 91.
This exemption was granted by the Director of Maritime NZ in 2022. Bringing it into Maritime Rule Part 91 will make the rules simpler to understand.
The SUP surfing exemption does not apply to all people who are using a SUP, it only applies specifically when a person is SUP surfing.
What does ‘underway’ mean?
‘Underway’ means a vessel that is on the water and is not:
- at anchor
- attached to a dock
- aground
- attached to the shore.
‘Underway’ is a common term used throughout Maritime Rules and is used internationally. The term comes from the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), and that definition has been brought into New Zealand law in Maritime Rules Part 22.
Under the new lifejacket wearing rule, do I have to wear a lifejacket if I’m swimming off a recreational craft that is not anchored?
No. Maritime Rules only regulate activities on the vessel, not recreational swimming.
In addition, the new lifejacket wearing rule includes a provision that a lifejacket does not have to be worn immediately before entering or after exiting the water even if a small recreational craft is underway.
This only allows for the practical transition period for the taking on and off of a lifejacket, or to jump and dive repeatedly from the craft into the water and is tied directly to someone actively swimming.
Where can I get more information on the various types of lifejackets?
You can find out more by clicking below
Will particular types of lifejackets be required?
Maritime rules do not prescribe the types of life jacket that must be worn in each situation, and this is not changing. However, all lifejackets must show they meet an approved standard; which is either New Zealand Standard NZS 5823: 2005, or an approved international standard, as listed on types of lifejacket page. This tells you how much floatation, what activity, and the weight range of wearer it was designed for.
What does having a properly secured lifejacket of an appropriate size mean?
The New Zealand Standard defines lifejacket types (for different purposes) and weight ranges.
These place weight restrictions on certain types of lifejackets, such as inflatables. If a lifejacket does not fit, it can’t be “properly secured” as is required and therefore will not meet the rule requirements.
What are the offences and penalties for the new lifejacket wearing requirements?
Specific offences and penalties for the new lifejacket wearing rules have not been created yet.
Once the Act has entered into force, offences and penalties will be created using the normal policy process. This work will be led by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
While we wait for the offences and penalties to be created, Maritime NZ is still able to prosecute for significant harm resulting from violations of the Maritime Rules. There are also existing offences for dangerous activity under Section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act.
With any significant change like this, it is generally good practice to focus on educating the public first to help people understand what they need to do differently.
