Ture ā Rohe Urungi Āhuru / Navigation Safety Bylaw

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Children pulling a water craft to the shore line

On 24 June 2021, council decided to adopt the proposal with amendments in response to feedback from 242 people and organisations, and the views of all local boards and the Director of Maritime New Zealand.

The new Bylaw and controls will commence on 31 July 2021 and will:

  • continue to regulate the use of Auckland’s navigable waters (for example by regulating recreational vessels, water skiing, swimmers, divers, ferries and cargo vessels) to help ensure maritime safety and minimise the risk of accidents, nuisance and damage
  • retain the current 12 knot speed limit within the Waitematā Harbour Restricted Speed Zone and ability to approve higher speeds for fast passenger ferries
  • add information about existing rules in other legislation that protect marine life, marine reserves and birdlife
  • make a new control to prohibit anchoring at the entrance to the Tāmaki River
  • make a new control to restrict access to the Commercial Port Area
  • require at least two independent forms of communication on a vessel (examples provided) and a VHF radio on vessels operating in the vicinity of a harbour entrance bar
  • align rules about the use of Ōrākei Basin with current accepted practices
  • allow the use of a mooring by other vessels and the transfer of a mooring licence as a condition of the licence
  • technical and editorial amendments in response to feedback from the Director of Maritime New Zealand and to correct drafting errors
  • clarifying the Bylaw wording to make it easier to read, understand and comply with.
  • continue to require all passengers on a vessel six metres and less in length to wear a personal floatation device (current exemptions also continue to apply).

What happens now?

On 31 July 2021, the new Bylaw and controls will replace the current Navigation Safety Bylaw 2014 and associated controls. On 14 August 2021 (subject to parliamentary deadlines), new infringement fines will commence.

All existing licences (for example a mooring licence) and exemptions will continue to apply until their expiration date or are reviewed.

For more information:

  • on the decision to make a new bylaw and controls, read the Auckland Council Governing Body agenda and minutes for its meeting on 24 June 2021, Item 11
  • on the new Navigation Bylaw 2021 and controls, visit the council’s bylaw page.

On 24 June 2021, council decided to adopt the proposal with amendments in response to feedback from 242 people and organisations, and the views of all local boards and the Director of Maritime New Zealand.

The new Bylaw and controls will commence on 31 July 2021 and will:

  • continue to regulate the use of Auckland’s navigable waters (for example by regulating recreational vessels, water skiing, swimmers, divers, ferries and cargo vessels) to help ensure maritime safety and minimise the risk of accidents, nuisance and damage
  • retain the current 12 knot speed limit within the Waitematā Harbour Restricted Speed Zone and ability to approve higher speeds for fast passenger ferries
  • add information about existing rules in other legislation that protect marine life, marine reserves and birdlife
  • make a new control to prohibit anchoring at the entrance to the Tāmaki River
  • make a new control to restrict access to the Commercial Port Area
  • require at least two independent forms of communication on a vessel (examples provided) and a VHF radio on vessels operating in the vicinity of a harbour entrance bar
  • align rules about the use of Ōrākei Basin with current accepted practices
  • allow the use of a mooring by other vessels and the transfer of a mooring licence as a condition of the licence
  • technical and editorial amendments in response to feedback from the Director of Maritime New Zealand and to correct drafting errors
  • clarifying the Bylaw wording to make it easier to read, understand and comply with.
  • continue to require all passengers on a vessel six metres and less in length to wear a personal floatation device (current exemptions also continue to apply).

What happens now?

On 31 July 2021, the new Bylaw and controls will replace the current Navigation Safety Bylaw 2014 and associated controls. On 14 August 2021 (subject to parliamentary deadlines), new infringement fines will commence.

All existing licences (for example a mooring licence) and exemptions will continue to apply until their expiration date or are reviewed.

For more information:

  • on the decision to make a new bylaw and controls, read the Auckland Council Governing Body agenda and minutes for its meeting on 24 June 2021, Item 11
  • on the new Navigation Bylaw 2021 and controls, visit the council’s bylaw page.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Ask a question of the team about the Navigation Bylaw.

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    Good afternoon, Could you clarify the statement "..carrying at least two independent FORMS of communication on a vessel" please, with regard to the following scenario: A small dinghy with two people on board, fishing 1000m from shore. As this is out of earshot "voice" is not applicable, as per the example of a kayaker closer to shore. If each person onboard has a cellphone, would that be considered two independent forms of communication? Or, as they are both of the same communication type (a cellphone), are they considered of the same FORM and therefore, the bylaw would also require second form, ie. VHF radio, to be installed in the dinghy? Thanks very much. Jared

    Jared Smith asked over 2 years ago

    Kia ora Jared,

     Thank you for taking time to provide feedback.

     With regards to the first scenario, if the dinghy was intending to go further than 100 meters or a distance not considered close to shore, then the person in charge of the dinghy must ensure that they have the appropriate means to be able to communicate with a land-based person(s). For example, two independent forms of communication may include a cell phone or VHF radio. In the scenario where a dinghy is relatively close to shore as with the kayak example, then the use of their voice would suffice as another form of communication.

     With regards to the second scenario with the carrying of two cell phones on board, if there was an issue with phone coverage from the water then it is assumed that both cell phones would not be useful in a case of an emergency. The main rationale behind having two different forms is that should one form not work, then there is at least another means of communication as a viable back up.

    Ngā mihi
    The Project Team

Page last updated: 05 Aug 2021, 08:46 AM