Maritime NZ (MNZ) has announced $844,249 in funding for 22 safer boating initiatives throughout New Zealand – the most ever distributed – aimed at reducing recreational boating fatalities and injuries.

MNZ Director Keith Manch says boaties contribute to the funding through their activities, given that it is drawn from the Fuel Excise Duty (FED) on petrol, and that the grants are crucial for organisations involved at the grass-roots building a safer boating culture across New Zealand communities.

“It’s an investment – teach someone to boat safely – and you’re protecting their family and friends too.”

Included are some innovative approaches to promoting water safety – such as jetski training for people in the upper South Island, greater engagement with boaties through the Old4New lifejacket upgrade campaign and expansion of community ‘lifejacket hubs’, where people can loan a lifejacket for a gold coin donation.

Manch says a collaborative approach is being taken with $80,000 allocated to the on-water No Excuses campaign (18 participating councils). The campaign sees MNZ and harbourmasters interacting with boaties to promote lifejacket wearing and safe speed.

The grants provide continued boating education support for Pasifika communities through Coastguard Boating Education’s ground-breaking Folau Malu programme, which has seen community members complete a Day Skipper course.

Coastguard NZ’s Old4New – the campaign to replace unsafe old lifejacket with new ones – is now in its seventh year and bigger than ever. This year will see an extra van on the road, with one crew in the North Island and one in the South Island offering heavily discounted lifejackets to those who upgrade their old or damaged lifejackets.

To date, the programme has removed over 15,000 lifejackets from circulation in New Zealand communities. These jackets have been replaced with brand-new, fit-for-purpose Hutchwilco lifejackets sold at a discounted price. The vans will also be on the road over the four-week school holiday period between mid-December and mid-January, visiting more locations.