07/10/2026
From 9 October 2026, everyone on board a recreational craft 6 metres and under must wear a lifejacket when the craft is underway.
The rule will apply across all of New Zealand to people using small recreational vessels such as jetskis, dinghies, sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats.
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).
