Chatham Islands boating rules: lifejackets, speed and the local bylaw
The rules on Chatham Islands waters, from the regional authority and Maritime NZ, linked line by line: lifejackets, speed limits, jet skis, paddle craft and who looks after the water.
From Friday 9 October 2026, everyone on board recreational craft 6 m or under must wear a lifejacket while underway.
It applies on all waters — coast, harbours, lakes and rivers — and covers kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, dinghies and tenders. “Underway” means not at anchor, aground, or tied to a dock or the shore, so drifting counts. Penalties for the new rule have not been created yet. Who must wear one, exemptions and how to measure 6 m →
Emergency on the water
How to call Coastguard: 111, Channel 16 or *500
Navigation safety bylaw in the Chatham Islands
Chatham Islands Navigation Safety Bylaws 2013
Chatham Islands Navigation Safety Bylaws 2013 (operative 3 August 2013; amended/revised 13 May 2021)
Who looks after the water: Chatham Islands Council (Te Kaunihera o Wharekauri) – Regional Harbourmaster
Lifejacket rules in the bylaw
Carry: a recreational craft may only be used if it carries a lifejacket of appropriate size and type for each person, readily accessible (cl. 2.6.2). Wear: on recreational craft under 6 m powered by motor and/or sail, everyone must wear a properly secured lifejacket while underway (cl. 2.7.2). On craft under 6 m propelled only by oars or paddles, lifejackets must be worn while underway unless the person in charge (over 15) expressly allows otherwise and considers there is no significant increase in risk (cl. 2.7.3). On any recreational craft, lifejackets must be worn when tides, river flows, rough seas, bad weather, poor visibility (incl. darkness) or emergencies create danger (cl. 2.7.1), and by anyone being towed (cl. 2.7.4). Exemptions: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboarders, windsurfers and kitesurfers in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less; supervised sport/training; visiting foreign teams (cl. 2.7.5).
Source: cic.govt.nz
Where the bylaw conflicts with the national law above, the national law applies from 9 October 2026 (Coastguard: councils have up to five years to update their bylaws).
Harbourmaster and council contacts
Notifications to the Regional Harbourmaster go through the Chatham Islands Council office: (03) 305 0033, info@cic.govt.nz, PO Box 24, Waitangi (bylaw cl. 2.1.1). A 2022 archived council page also listed a harbourmaster after-hours number, (03) 305 0315; it may be out of date. Not labelled non-emergency. Emergencies: 111.
These are published contacts for reporting hazards and asking about the rules. In an emergency call 111 and ask for Police, or use VHF Channel 16.
Speed limits on Chatham Islands waters
5 knots maximum within 50 m of any other vessel or person in or on the water; within 200 m of the shore or any structure; within 200 m of a vessel or raft flying Flag A (cl. 2.10.1). 5 knots on a powered vessel while anyone is over the bow or side (cl. 2.13). Exceptions for access lanes, reserved areas or open speed areas used under their conditions (cl. 2.10.2) – no specific access lanes or open speed areas were found listed in the bylaw schedules. Faster vessels must not endanger or unduly annoy others (cl. 2.11).
Jet ski (PWC) rules and registration
No PWC (jet ski) registration requirement found in the bylaw. Minimum age: under 15s may not be in charge of or navigate a power-driven vessel capable of more than 10 knots unless directly supervised by a person over 15 within immediate reach of the controls (cl. 2.9).
Kayak, paddle board and kite rules
Kitesurfers, windsurfers and sailboarders are exempt from the lifejacket rules if they wear a wetsuit at all times; surfboards and similar unpowered craft are also exempt (cl. 2.7.5). Paddleboards count as paddle craft (definitions), so the oars/paddles wear rule in cl. 2.7.3 (with the skipper discretion) applies to them unless the surfboard exemption covers the use.
Other Chatham Islands rules
Towing above 5 knots needs a lookout aged 10 or over; no towing between sunset and sunrise (cl. 3.4–3.5). No diving or swimming from a wharf or ramp while a vessel manoeuvres within 30 m (cl. 2.8). Port of Waitangi: no vessels or swimming beneath/alongside wharves without Harbourmaster permission; vessels under 500 GT must not impede larger vessels; no anchoring in navigation channels without permission (cl. 6.4–6.5). Vessels should approach Port Hutt (Whangaroa), Owenga and Kaingaroa only in daylight and good visibility (cl. 6.7.2). Vessels over 25 m must give 24 hours' notice of arrival (cl. 6.2). Accidents: report to the Harbourmaster as soon as practicable and in writing within 24 hours, as well as to Maritime NZ (cl. 2.14). Swing moorings need Council entitlement (cl. 5.5). Alcohol is not addressed in the bylaw.
Popular boating waters in the Chatham Islands
- Waitangi and Petre Bay
- Port Hutt (Whangaroa Harbour)
- Kaingaroa
- Owenga (Hanson Bay)
- Te Whanga Lagoon
- Pitt Island and Pitt Strait
Some of the waters local boaties know best. This is our list, not an official one, and it isn’t complete.
VesselSOS on Chatham Islands waters
- Life in danger? Tap “Yes” and the app dials 111. The screen shows your GPS position in words and a word-for-word script that starts “Police. Boat emergency, I’m on the water.”, then where you are and what happened.
- The rescue-centre list also has RCCNZ (0508 472 269) as a second Call button for offshore, and a VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY text filled with your boat’s details for you to read on your own radio.
- A live link for family ashore (Plus, free during the beta): your position, speed, course and phone battery in any browser, no app needed on their end. You send it by text yourself.
- Not an emergency? Tap “No” for Coastguard’s non-urgent line, 0800 262 843 option 1 (the same help as *500, which iPhone apps can’t dial).
What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t log a Coastguard trip report or bar crossing report, and it isn’t connected to 111, Police, Coastguard or RCCNZ. Nobody is alerted automatically if you’re late: the return-time check only asks “Are you OK?” on your own phone. The Coastguard app does text your shore contact after three unanswered prompts, so log your trip with Coastguard as well. A phone doesn’t replace a VHF radio, an EPIRB or PLB, or a lifejacket.
iPhone only, in invite-only TestFlight beta. Not in the App Store yet, no Android. New Zealand support (111 routing) is in beta version 1.5 and later.
Quick answers
Do you have to wear a lifejacket in the Chatham Islands?
From Friday 9 October 2026, everyone on board recreational craft 6 m or under must wear a lifejacket while underway, everywhere in New Zealand, the Chatham Islands included. The regional rule: Carry: a recreational craft may only be used if it carries a lifejacket of appropriate size and type for each person, readily accessible (cl. 2.6.2). Wear: on recreational craft under 6 m powered by motor and/or sail, everyone must wear a properly secured lifejacket while underway (cl. 2.7.2). On craft under 6 m propelled only by oars or paddles, lifejackets must be worn while underway unless the person in charge (over 15) expressly allows otherwise and considers there is no significant increase in risk (cl. 2.7.3). On any recreational craft, lifejackets must be worn when tides, river flows, rough seas, bad weather, poor visibility (incl. darkness) or emergencies create danger (cl. 2.7.1), and by anyone being towed (cl. 2.7.4). Exemptions: surfboards and similar unpowered craft; sailboarders, windsurfers and kitesurfers in a wetsuit; divers in a full dive suit on boats 6 m or less; supervised sport/training; visiting foreign teams (cl. 2.7.5).
What is the speed limit near the shore in the Chatham Islands?
5 knots maximum within 50 m of any other vessel or person in or on the water; within 200 m of the shore or any structure; within 200 m of a vessel or raft flying Flag A (cl. 2.10.1). 5 knots on a powered vessel while anyone is over the bow or side (cl. 2.13). Exceptions for access lanes, reserved areas or open speed areas used under their conditions (cl. 2.10.2) – no specific access lanes or open speed areas were found listed in the bylaw schedules. Faster vessels must not endanger or unduly annoy others (cl. 2.11).
Do jet skis need to be registered in the Chatham Islands?
No PWC (jet ski) registration requirement found in the bylaw. Minimum age: under 15s may not be in charge of or navigate a power-driven vessel capable of more than 10 knots unless directly supervised by a person over 15 within immediate reach of the controls (cl. 2.9).
Sources
Regional authority: Chatham Islands Council (Te Kaunihera o Wharekauri) – Regional Harbourmaster
- https://www.cic.govt.nz/assets/CIC/Documents/8555_CIC_Navigation_Safety_MAY_2021_FINAL_WEB.pdf
- https://www.cic.govt.nz/documents/navigation-safety-bylaws-2013
- https://www.cic.govt.nz/services/coastal-services/navigation-safety
- https://www.coastguard.nz/lifejacket-changes
- https://www.boprc.govt.nz/living-in-the-bay/boating-in-the-bay/recreational-boating/lifejackets/
Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with Chatham Islands Council before you go.
This page summarises the rules for planning; it isn’t legal advice. Where this page and the official text differ, the official text wins. Spotted an error? Email support@vesselsos.com.