This year, safer boating grants coordinated by Maritime NZ will provide 3,000 new lifejackets, support lifejacket loan
hubs, help create new, at-the-beach, training programmes for boaties using jet skis, standup paddleboards and kayaks,
and much more!
These are some of the initiatives from right across New Zealand that are receiving $626,570 in safer boating grants.
Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, said the purpose of these grants is to improve safety for the over 1.5 million Kiwis
who get out on the water each year. They are a practical way to support boating organisations and council programmes
that work directly with boaties.
The Government provides the funding for safer boating grants through money collected from the Fuel Excise Duty (FED) on
petrol. A proportion of this duty is paid by recreational boaties fueling power boats. Some of this money is provided to
Maritime NZ and used to support recreational boating safety initiatives including regional programmes focused on
promoting safer boating. This year there is continued funding for some existing programmes, and some new initiatives
getting started.
“Boating is changing and we are seeing big increases in jet skis, standup paddleboards and kayaks – we are supporting
new, at-the-beach training for boaties using these small craft.
“These will be national pilot programmes run by Tasman District Council, NZ Standup Paddle boarding and the Kiwi
Association of Sea Kayakers.
“Lifejackets are boaties single most important piece of safety equipment on all boats – sailing, powered or paddled.
“That is why, for the first time, Maritime NZ is supporting Drowning Prevention Auckland’s ‘lifejacket hubs’ and a
similar programme run by the Harbourmaster in Gisborne where lifejackets can be borrowed. We are also proud to continue
supporting Coastguard NZ’s successful ‘Old4New’ lifejacket upgrade campaign,” Mr Manch said.
Coastguard will receive $80,000 to help provide 3,000 subsidized lifejackets to Kiwi boaties.
“We also fund several children’s boating education programmes because in New Zealand people often start boating quite
young and children can positively influence the safety behavior of their families,” Mr Manch said.
There is funding for Folau Malu programme for Pasifika boat users, Survive the Dive for divers and Waka Ama safety
basics courses.
The ‘No Excuses’ campaign received $70,000 funding to enable 18 councils and the Taupō Harbourmaster to carry out
on-water enforcement with a ‘no excuses’ approach to compliance being taken with boaties found in breach of key safety
regulations. The campaign focuses on consequences for those breaking the rules.
FED funding provides support funding for campaign initiatives based on priorities decided by the Safer Boating Forum.
The Forum is made up of boating organisations, the marine industry, and local and central government agencies. It has
led the campaign over the last two decades through partnership activities to reduce the number of fatalities on our
waters.
Summary of grants:CouncilProgrammeFundingNorthland Regional Council
Maritime Officer, Tammy Crookshanks
tammyc@nrc.govt.nz
Cellphone: 027 492 1287
Be a Safe Boatie, Mate
Continuation of campaigns from 2017/18 and 2018/19 using radio, on-water patrols, ambassadors, marketing and promotional
material, as well as video production.$28,500Waikato Regional Council
Marketing & Project Advisor,
Irene Maton
irene.maton@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Phone: 07 859 0793
MarineMate app upgrade
MarineMate update and promotion and data collection. MarineMate is a smartphone app that provides information on tides,
boat ramp locations, VHF channels, and local boating rules for the whole country.$34,500Bay of Plenty Regional Council,
Peter Buell, BOP Harbourmaster
Peter.Buell@boprc.govt.nz
0800 5KNOTS (0800 55 66 87)
Towards Zero: Recreational Boating Safety Programme
Boat ramp workshops, roadshow presentations (clubs, groups, boat shows), college visits, and distribution of promotional
material (including advice and training of retail staff on lifejackets).$50,000
Gisborne District Council
Harbourmaster Sonny Ali
harbourmaster@gdc.govt.nz
Phone: 06 867 2049Lifejacket Hubs
A new programme that will provide “life jacket hubs”. These will be places where people can borrow lifejackets.$10,000Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Harbourmaster, Martin Moore harbourmaster@hbrc.govt.nz
Cellphone: 021 300 857
Recreational Boating Safety Education
Safer boating education in local schools (for up to 12 years old), with Coastguard volunteers to present the programme.
This programme will be extended to include regional swimming pools which have the Coastguard Boating Education Kit.$12,000
Greater Wellington Regional Council, Harbourmaster,
Grant Nalder,
harbours@gw.govt.nz
Phone: 0274 516 155
Summer Safety Campaign
Enforcement programme based on the Safer Boating Forum and Council’s priorities, including partial funding of the summer
ranger, providing safety material, on-water interactions, discounts for courses, and promotion of boat safety checks.$45,000Tasman District Council
Harbourmaster, Dan Cairney
Deputy Harbourmaster, Jimmy Mackay Jimmy.Mackay@tasman.govt.nz
Cellphone: 027 611 0804
Jetski Training Course
National pilot for a jet ski (personal watercraft) training course on skills and knowledge to enable safe and competent
operation of a jet ski. Includes practical on-water component, instruction ashore, collision avoidance, weather and
safety, control at speed, emergencies and recovery.$10,000
Tasman District Council
Harbourmaster, Dan Cairney
Deputy Harbourmaster, Jimmy Mackay Jimmy.Mackay@tasman.govt.nz
Cellphone: 027 611 0804
More patrols on the water
Increasing on-the-water patrols over summer.
$15,000
CouncilProgrammeFundingNelson City Council
Manager Consents and Compliance,
Mandy Bishop
mandy.bishop@ncc.govt.nz
Phone: 03 545 8740Responsible Recreation
Targeting skipper responsibility with harbourmaster patrols, safety rewards and skipper education including workshop and
50% discounts on VHF courses.$36,400ECAN
Navigation Safety Officer, Gary Manch
gary.manch@ecan.govt.nz
Cellphone: 027 436 0134
Canterbury Safer Boating Programme
Focusing on carrying two waterproof ways to call for help. The programme will use media, face to face promotions at boat
ramps and camp sites. This
will be a collaborative approach with the Otago Harbourmaster.$50,000
Environment Southland
Maritime officer, Ian Coard
ian.coard@es.govt.nz
Safer Boating Promotions
On-water and boat ramp checks targeting skippers' safe boating knowledge and responsibility, waterproof communication
and safety equipment, wearing lifejackets and checking marine weather forecasts.
Also face to face public interaction at events, delivery of school programmes where students are shown how a lifejacket
is correctly fitted and given boating safety advice.$16,70018 Councils and Department of Internal Affairs (DIA): Environment Canterbury,
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council,
Marlborough District Council,
Nelson City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Tasman District Council, Waikato Regional Council,
Greater Wellington Regional Council,
Taranaki Regional Council,
DIA’s Taupō Harbourmaster, Otago Regional Council, Environment Southland, Gisborne, Buller District Council,Auckland
Council, Bay of Plenty,
Horizons Regional Council and Northland Regional CouncilEnforcement of “No Excuses” campaign
Five additional days of on-the-water “No Excuses” enforcement.$70,000
Boating organisations ProgrammeFundingCoastguard Boating Education
General Manager,
Mike Brown
mike.brown@boatingeducation.org.nz
Cellphone: 022 043 5376
Folau Malu (Journey Safely) - Pasifika Boating Education
The project will include day skipper training, water survival and VHF radio operator certification for 90 ‘community
champions' and boatmaster training for five.$47,200Coastguard NZ,
Communications Manager, Shelley Ashdown,
shelley.ashdown@coastguard.co.nz.
Phone: 09 905 4762
Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade Campaign
Continuation of the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign, will distribute 3,000 lifejackets and visit 50-60 NZ locations.
Contact with boaties as part of this campaign includes the provision of key safety messages, and widespread media
reporting.$80,000Drowning Prevention Auckland, Business Manager,
Sam Gunther
samantha@dpanz.org.nz
Cellphone: 021 129 2760Lifejacket Hubs
Drowning Prevention Auckland, in partnership with local boat clubs, surf club, community and church organisations, will
provide five hubs where people can borrow lifejackets.$26,220Jet Boating NZ, Administration Manager,
Stephen Woodside
info@jbnz.co.nz
Cellphone: 027 641 8814
Jet Boat Safety
Production of an updated annual jet boat safety handbook (including lifejackets, skipper knowledge, communications,
river rules, alcohol, cold water immersion etc). Driver training designed to take new members from knowing nothing about
their boats to become competent, capable and safe drivers.$2,500Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK)
Shaun Maclaren
shaun@kask.co.nz
Cellphone: 021 286 7412Meet the People
A national pilot with trainers visiting beaches to provide kayak training. Locations will be publicised beforehand.$ 5,600NZ Underwater Association
Marketing & Media provided by Fathom, Auckland
Contact Jeff Strang, Managing Director of Fathom
jeff@thefathomlab.com
Cellphone: 021 541 537
Survive the Dive programme
This programme centralises diver
safety messaging in order to ensure the NZ underwater community is exposed to a broader message including: Health and
fitness, medical checks, training, refresher courses, equipment checks and maintenance, diver best practice, boating
safety and on-water best practice.$17,950NZ Standup Paddleboarding,
Safety officer, Bill Dawes,
paddlecompany@gmail.com
Cellphone: 027 777 1035SUP SAFE
A national pilot with trainers visiting beaches to provide standup paddle boarding training. Locations will be
publicised beforehand.$35,000Waka Ama NZ,
Chief Executive,
Lara Collins
lara@wakaama.co.nz
0275 484 612Waka Ama Safety Workshops
Training leading to certification on areas such as waka specific information, maritime safety rules and procedures,
emergencies, communication, weather and trip planning.$9,000Yachting NZ,
Chief Operating Officer,
Andrew Clouston
andrew@yachtingnz.org.nz
Phone: 09 361 4021Volvo Sailing…Have A Go!
A training programme is for 8-12 year olds It offers a one-day experience for children to become familiar with vessel,
learn basic sailing skills, water safety, wearing a lifejacket, weather forecasts and identifying hazards.$25,000