Using your jetski
Jet skiing is thrilling, but safety matters. Follow the rules, respect others, and stay alert. Safe use of your jetski can prevent serious accidents.
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A personal watercraft, commonly known as a jetski, is defined by the Maritime Transport Act as a power-driven ship that:
- has a fully enclosed hull that does not take on water if capsized and
- is designed to be operated by a person standing, crouching or kneeling on it or sitting with one leg on each side of it.
Since jetskis are classified as personal watercraft under New Zealand law, every rule applying to personal watercraft applies to your jetski too. If you have questions, contact the Harbourmaster's office.
Where you can use your jetski
You can use your jetski almost anywhere, except in areas reserved for swimmers or non-power-driven vessels.
Reserved areas for swimmers and non-power-driven vessels, shown in the Navigation Bylaw, are located in:
- Point Chevalier Beach
- Lake Pupuke
- Hellyers Creek
- Judges Bay
- St Heliers, this is a swimming only area
- Kohimarama, this is a swimming only area.
Avoid areas reserved for specific activities, like water-skiing in Orakei Basin, unless you are towing a water-skier.
Do not enter areas covered by the Port Security Act or Defence Act. These include commercial wharves and the defence areas at Devonport and Kauri Point
Stay at least 200m away from any vessel carrying explosives as cargo. These vessels will display a red flag by day and a red light by night.
Maps showing designated areas are available to view in Navigation Bylaw 2021 (PDF, 9.9MB).
Register your jetski before using
All jetskis must be registered. Enforcement officers may fine people using an unregistered jetski.
Make sure your jetski registration stickers are clearly visible on your jetski. If you're waiting for your stickers, carry your registration confirmation as proof.
Find out about registering your jetski.
Follow the rules
Rules are strictly enforced by the Harbourmaster and Maritime New Zealand team. The operator of the jetski will be held responsible for any behaviour or failure to comply with local bylaws.
Reduce your speed and keep distance
The jetski's speed must stay within a maximum of 5 knots when:
- within 50m of another vessel, craft or person
- within 200m of shoreline
- within 200m of vessel or craft flying the white and blue diving signal flag
- inshore of yellow buoys marking the 5 knots area
- between North Head and the Harbour Bridge, no jetski may exceed 12 knots, unless in designated areas.
Ride your jetski safely
Wear a lifejacket at all times when using a jetski. Everyone on board a jetski must wear a lifejacket.
Do not block access to any wharf, landing place, boat ramp, slipway, mooring, ferry lane or shipping channel.
A lookout person is required when towing anybody. The lookout person must be 10 years or older. Do not go water-skiing after dark.
Learn more about the rules you must follow to keep safe when out on water.
Minimum age to use jetski
A person must be 15 years or over to use any jetski capable of speeds over 10 knots.
Right of way matters
Respecting right of way rules help prevent collisions.
If a vessel fails to give way, you must make every effort to avoid a collision. Be alert and prepare to slow right down or stop.
For more information on right of way rules, visit the Maritime New Zealand website.