The public is being encouraged to have its say on a review of the Northland Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw for Northland, which sets the rules for keeping people safe on the water.

Council Chair Geoff Crawford says the bylaw was originally scheduled for its five-yearly review in 2022, but the process was delayed while the Minister of Transport considered amendments to Maritime Rules Part 91 which the bylaw must align to.

Council's review established that while much of the bylaw was fit for purpose, there were some amendments needed to:

Better align navigation safety bylaws between regions

Take on board feedback received by various users and user groups

Incorporate safety improvements following analysis of maritime incidents that have occurred during previous years; and

Make the bylaw easier to use and read.

Chair Crawford says some of the key proposed changes to the bylaw include:

Communications - A new requirement to carry two forms of communication on a vessel.

Amend the requirements for wearing a lifejacket (PFD), including requiring lifejackets to be worn in a vessel under six metres when tendering to and from shore.

Ruakākā, Waipū estuaries - Removing a clause relating to areas where wind powered board sports are prohibited as this is not considered a navigation safety issue.

Te Matau ā Pohe bridge (Whangārei) - New reporting requirements prior to transit of the bridge or use of the pontoons.

Wharves - Removing a clause preventing swimming or diving around wharves.

Mooring design specifications - amendments must be approved by the council

Re-structuring the bylaw to make it easier to use.

More detail on all the changes being proposed can be found at: www.nrc.govt.nz/bylawreview

Chair Crawford says during the last bylaw review in 2017, one of the issues that attracted the most feedback was around restricting wind powered board sports in Ruakākā and Waipū Estuaries.

"There was a strong campaign from locals concerned about birds affected by these sports."

"At the time it was advised these weren’t navigational safety issues and would be better addressed by Department of Conservation rules; however, council decided to include them."

He says in the updated proposed bylaw, this clause has been removed as it’s not the right legal mechanism for managing wildlife concerns.

"Irrespective of legal mechanism, we urge kiteboarders to keep staying out of these estuaries to ensure safe breeding grounds for the birds that nest there."

The Department of Conservation is looking into legal options for continued protection in the areas used by these nesting birds.

"The other main feedback in 2017 was concerned with new at the time rules for Kai Iwi Lakes, in particular around enacting a 200 metre from shore 5 knot speed restriction."

However, he says the current review doesn’t include the Kai Iwi Lakes Navigation Safety Bylaw which will be reviewed at a later date.

"The Kai Iwi Lakes bylaw is not being reviewed at this time as other changes are being discussed at a local level with the Taharoa Domain Governance group and the Kaipara District Council looking at issues around power driven vessels and the risks with gold clam (a serious aquatic pest)."

Chair Crawford says before the council makes any final decisions on the Navigation Safety Bylaw for Northland, it wants to hear what people think.

"For more information, and to have your say, go to www.nrc.govt.nz/bylawreview"

Feedback is open until 30 May 2025.

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