Racing or not, every boat, regardless of size, must have a skipper

The skipper is legally responsible for the safety of the boat and all the people on board, and is also responsible for complying with all the relevant rules and regulations.

Even though no licence is required to operate a pleasure boat in New Zealand, ignorance of any maritime rules or regional bylaws is not accepted as an excuse. Failure to comply can lead to instant fines or prosecution.

Maritime New Zealand provides a wealth of information about recreational boating rules and safety: Recreational boating - Maritime NZ

Harbour bylaws

Wellington Regional Council makes bylaws for the purpose of ensuring Maritime Safety under part 33m of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

The bylaws apply throughout the waters of the region from the Otaki River Mouth, around to Cape Palliser and then up to the Mataikona River and extend to the coastal waters up to three miles offshore. This includes both Wellington and Porirua Harbours and Lakes Wairarapa and Onoke.

The bylaws can be downloaded from the Greater Wellington website: Wellington Regional Navigation Safety Bylaws 2021

Boating accidents, incidents, and mishaps

The Maritime Safety Act 1995 requires skippers to notify Maritime New Zealand as soon as practicable, of accidents, incidents, or mishaps involving serious harm. The appropriate forms for notification are available on the Maritime New Zealand website: Incident notification - Maritime NZ