New Bay of Plenty maritime safety rules from 1 October

Boaties across the region are being reminded to check the rules before heading out on the water, as Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024 comes into force on 1 October.

The changes are designed to help keep people safe while enjoying the region’s harbours, lakes and rivers, which are used by thousands of people every year for boating, fishing, swimming and other recreational activities.

The most significant change requires everyone onboard a vessel under six metres in length to wear a lifejacket while the vessel is underway. The new rule applies to any type of recreational craft, including kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies and jet skis, and is consistent with the new national lifejacket rule that comes into force on 9 October.

Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters says lifejackets are one of the simplest and most effective safety measures people can take.

“Lifejackets save lives. In 2025, 17 people died in recreational craft incidents on New Zealand waters. Sadly, 12 of those people were not wearing a lifejacket.

“Wearing a lifejacket is the simplest way to give you the best chance of survival if the unexpected happens on the water. We want people to enjoy our waterways, but we also want them to come home safely at the end of the day.”

The new bylaw also introduces changes within Tauranga Harbour, with anchoring and mooring in the shipping lane no longer being permitted. The change is intended to improve safety for all harbour users given that large ships need plenty of room to manoeuvre and can’t stop quickly. People can still fish within the shipping channel using methods such as drift fishing or a trolling motor.

In Ōhiwa Harbour, new speed rules have been introduced to support safer navigation. Within the designated transit area, powered vessels may travel at speeds above five knots, up to a maximum of 20 knots, where it is safe to do so. A separate speed uplift area also allows vessels to travel above five knots when crossing the harbour entrance and bar. Elsewhere in the harbour, the existing five-knot speed limit remains in place.

Boaties should also be aware that some infringement fines are increasing alongside the introduction of the new bylaw.   

Before heading out on the water this summer, people are encouraged to familiarise themselves with both the new and existing rules.

For more information about the Bay of Plenty Navigation Safety Bylaw and what the changes mean, visit boprc.govt.nz/boating-in-the-bay

For more information on the national lifejacket rule, visit maritimenz.govt.nz