Jetski

Find information and resources for recreational jetski or personal water craft (PWC) activities in New Zealand.

On this page:

Your responsibilities

Getting started

For more information

Before you head out to drive, make sure you cover the basics

Personal water craft, often called jet skis, are one of the fastest-growing activities on the rivers, harbours and lakes of New Zealand.

Lifejackets come in a variety of sizes, shapes and buoyancy ratings.

Wear a correct sized lifejacket

Take the right lifejacket for each person on board, and wear them.

The consequences of alcohol and boating can be tragic on and in the water.

Avoid alcohol while on board

Learn about the guidelines and risks relating to alcohol onboard.

Operate your boat safely and remember to look out for hazards in the water.

Keep a good lookout for boats

Know the skills and rules for avoiding collisions and accidents.

Improve your chances of surviving in cold water before you go overboard.

Know your survival techniques

Learn to survive overboard with techniques and precautions.

Avoid a high speed collision by respecting the limits in your area

Know your responsibilities as you can be prosecuted for operating in a wreckless manner.

Stick to 5 knots within:

200m of the shore or a boat displaying a divers’ flag

50m of any other boat or other people who are swimming

All responsibilities

Getting started with this activity

Learn the essential skills for your boating activities.

Courses

Coastguard offers a range of courses for all ages and levels of experience.

Some regions have additional rules for boating activities.

Regional safety information

Respecting the boating bylaws in your region will keep you safe.

Find your region

Related information:

Maritime NZ encourages recreational boaties to use apps built for maritime use.

Maritime on mobile

Get updates, weather forecasts, relevant local information and more on your smartphone.

Get it on mobile

Boating clubs and organisations can organise racing, time trials, regattas and more in their local waterways.

Maritime events

Find the requirements, information and application details for planning a boat race, rally or regatta.