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Navigation Safety Bylaws
There are two navigation safety authorities that work together in Southland. The Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) is the central government agency tasked with maritime safety
throughout the country. MNZ's principal objective is to undertake activities that promote a safe maritime environment and provide effective marine pollution prevention and
an effective marine oil pollution response system, at reasonable cost.
The MNZ develops maritime and marine protection rules. Other services include technical advice on maritime safety and environmental protection issues, advice on Ministerial
correspondence, parliamentary questions and industry liaison.
Environment Southland has the statutory function to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being in our region, which includes navigation safety. We
do this by making navigation safety bylaws and through powers exercised by appointing a harbourmaster and honorary enforcement officers.
There are some areas of overlap, for example rules regarding navigational safety. MNZ developed Maritime Rule Part 91 "Navigation Safety". This is a national standard which
aims for a consistent approach across the country. Each region has its own little (and large) issues and so most regions have chosen to apply Navigation Safety Bylaws that allow
for local issues; for example speed up-liftings for part or all of certain rivers. In Southland we have the Southland Navigation Safety Bylaws 2003 which governs safe navigation
practices on our rivers, lakes and out to the 12 mile limit at sea.
New Navigation Safety Bylaws
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Download The Navigation Safety Bylaws (3.27 MB)
Boaties should be familiar with the broad issues that these Bylaws deal with and be aware that failure to comply can lead to stiff penalties.