New rules for Bay of Plenty boaties are coming into play today.

The changes are part of Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024, and aim to improve safety across the region’s harbours, lakes and rivers.

The most significant change requires all people aboard recreational vessels under six metres in length to wear a lifejacket while the vessel is underway.

The rule applies to kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies, jet skis and other small recreational craft.

Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said in a media release that lifejackets remained one of the simplest ways to prevent deaths on the water.

“Lifejackets save lives. In 2025, 17 people died in recreational craft incidents on New Zealand waters. Sadly, 12 of those people were not wearing a lifejacket,” Peters said.

The regional rule aligns with a new national lifejacket requirement due to come into force on October 9.

Changes have also been introduced in Tauranga Harbour, where anchoring and mooring in the shipping channel will no longer be permitted.

The council said the move is intended to improve safety for all harbour users by giving large ships more room to manoeuvre. Drift fishing and trolling motors will still be permitted within the channel.

In Ōhiwa Harbour, new speed rules will allow powered vessels to travel above five knots, up to a maximum of 20 knots, within a designated transit area when it is safe to do so.

A separate speed uplift area has also been established for vessels crossing the harbour entrance and bar. The existing five-knot speed limit will remain in place elsewhere.

Boaties are also being warned that some infringement fines will increase under the new bylaw.

The council is encouraging people to familiarise themselves with the updated rules before heading out on the water this summer.

For more information, visit https://www.boprc.govt.nz/boating-in-the-bay.