Applying to hold a temporary maritime event
About temporary maritime events
Temporary maritime events include power boat races, jet boat rallies, yachting regattas, and paddle craft races.
You can hold a temporary maritime event on a river, lake, or coastal areas where you need:
- exclusive use of an area, or
- a temporary suspension of speed requirements for recreational vessels.
Depending on who is responsible for safety on the waterway, you will need to apply to:
- Maritime NZ, or
- the local regional council.
In general, regional or unitary councils are responsible for inland regional waterways and activities within 12 nautical miles (22.5 km) of the shore. In some cases, Maritime NZ has this responsibility.
Northland
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Coastal areas & and Kai Iwi Lakes |
|
 |
|
Other rivers & lakes |
|
Northland Regional Council is responsible for coastal areas and Kai Iwi Lakes.
Maritime NZ is responsible for other rivers / lakes
Auckland
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Rivers / lakes |
|
|
| Oceans | |
Auckland Council is responsible for these waterways.
Waikato
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
DIA area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Oceans / rivers / lakes |
|
|
|
Lake Taupo |
|
Waikato Regional Council is responsible for oceans / rivers / lakes.
Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for Lake Taupo.
Taranaki
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Oceans / rivers / lakes |
|
|
|
Ports |
|
Taranaki Regional Council is only responsible for the Port Taranaki.
Maritime NZ is responsible for oceans / rivers / lakes
Hawke's Bay
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Lakes |
1 |
2 |
|
Oceans / rivers |
2 |
|
|
Reserves |
3 |
1 MNZ is only responsible for the Lakes Waikareiti and Waikaremoana.
2 Hawkes Bay Regional Council is responsible for these waterways.
3 Department of Conservation is responsible for Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
Manawatu
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Oceans / lakes |
||
|
Rivers / tributaries |
1 |
|
|
Ports |
2 |
1 Horizons Regional Council is only responsible for the Manawatu River and tributaries.
2 River City Port Ltd. is only responsible for the Port of Wanganui.
Wellington
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Rivers |
1 |
2 |
|
Oceans / lakes |
2 |
1 MNZ is only responsible for the Ruamahanga River.
2 Greater Wellington Regional Council is responsible for these waterways.
Marlborough
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Rivers / lakes |
||
|
Oceans |
1 |
1 Marlborough District Council is responsible for these waterways
West Coast
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Rivers / lakes / oceans |
||
|
Ports |
1, 2 |
1 Grey District Council is responsible for the Port of Greymouth.
2 Buller District Council is responsible for the Port of Westport.
Otago
You will have to apply to the organisation responsible for the waterways where you would like to hold your event.
|
Waterway type |
MNZ area |
Council bylaw area |
|---|---|---|
|
Rivers / oceans |
||
|
Lakes |
1, 2 |
|
|
Harbours |
3 |
1 Queenstown Lakes District Council is responsible for the Queenstown Lakes District waterways.
2 Central Otago District Council is responsible for Lake Dunstan.
3 Otago Regional Council is responsible for the Dunedin Harbour and Karitane Harbour.
Step 2. Know your responsibilities
The club or organisation coordinating the event is responsible for:
- keeping all participants and the public safe
- complying with all requirements applying to the event.
As the organiser, you should check with your regional, unitary or local authority (city or district council), and WorkSafe NZ, to find out which requirements apply to your event. Some requirements may fall outside Maritime NZ’s responsibilities.
Step 3. Complete the application form
If you want to hold your event in an area that Maritime NZ is responsible for, you must apply to the Director of Maritime NZ (the Director) for a grant to temporarily:
- suspend or uplift vessel speed limits
- reserve areas of waterways.
You must complete the form below and provide any supporting documents required.
Under Maritime Rules Part 91 Navigation Safety Rules, and before granting the permit the Director must be satisfied that:
- you have the appropriate safeguards in place to ensure public safety, and
- you have consulted with parties who may be affected.
If you would like to hold your event in an area that Maritime NZ is not responsible for, you will need to contact the relevant authorities.