Our offices are now closed for the summer break and will reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. The BUSIT counter in the Hamilton Transport Centre is now closed and reopen on Monday, 6 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, we can be contacted 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

Close alert
  1. Services »
  2. Maritime services »
  3. Jet skis and personal watercraft
On this page:

If you operate a jet ski or personal watercraft (PWC) in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Northland regions, it must be registered. 

If an unregistered jet ski is being used in or upon the waters of the Waikato region, the operator is liable for a $200 instant fine.

Registering a jet ski or personal watercraft

Jet skis and personal watercraft are now registered through the Auckland Transport Harbourmaster website.

Registration helps provide a safe maritime environment for everyone and can also help identify your vessel in case it is stolen.

Your registration will be valid for the Waikato (including Lake Taupō), Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Northland regions.

Before you start, you’ll need the hull serial number and make and model of your jet ski.

REGISTER NOW (You will be directed to the Auckland Transport website and will need to register for an MyAT account)

Register now

Transferring registration

When you buy or sell a jet ski, you will need to transfer the registration to the new owner. By transferring your jet ski details once you sell your jet ski, it ensures that any complaints and fines are sent to the correct owner.

If your registration number begins with a ‘9’

If your current registration number begins with a 9, this means that it has been registered with Waikato Regional Council. We are currently in the process of aligning to a national database for jet ski registrations and unfortunately, we are no longer accepting transfers of registrations within our current database. We encourage you to remove the registration stickers upon sale of your jet ski and direct the buyer to Auckland Transport for a new registration.

If you are purchasing a jet ski that has been registered with us, you will need to complete a new registration with Auckland Transport who now manage jet ski registrations for the Waikato (including Lake Taupō), Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Northland regions. A new registration fee will be required.

If you are the seller: Remove the old numbers from your jet ski and email pwcregistrations@waikatoregion.govt.nz to deregister your jet ski with Waikato Regional Council.

If you are the buyer: Create a new registration with AT Harbourmaster at https://at.govt.nz/boating-marine/jetskis-personal-watercraft/

If your registration number begins with a ‘1’

If your current registration number begins with a 1, you can complete the transfer of ownership online through the AT Harbourmaster.

The seller will need to login to their MyAT account and start the process. https://at.govt.nz/boating-marine/jetskis-personal-watercraft/transferring-jetski-registration/

If you have any questions or are unsure of the process, please email pwcregistrations@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Deregistering jet skis

You may apply to deregister your jet ski if it is no longer usable, has been written off or stolen.

Please email pwcregistrations@waikatoregion.govt.nz with the details of your jet ski and request deregistration.

Using your jet ski or personal watercraft

Before heading out on a jet ski make sure you are up to speed on all the rules and regulations.

Jet skis are considered 'power-driven vessels' by law, so the same rules apply to both your jet ski as other power-driven vessels. Anyone operating your jet ski is considered to be the skipper, so it’s their responsibility to know the rules and make sure everyone stays safe.

Download the jet ski user rules and regulations factsheet (2MB)

Know the rules