Auckland Regional Council has amended the Navigation Safety Bylaw after a series of meeting with kayakers. Rather than the previously prescriptive measures, the new Rule 2.17 has recommendations so kayakers may take responsibility themselves for being seen on the water. See the new kayak collision rule 2.17.

Auckland kayakers and ARC held a series of meetings, resulting in agreement in a new rule 2.17 in the ARC Navigation Safety Bylaw that, while still meeting the requirements of ARC, acknowledges kayakers' individual responsibility for the particular measures taken in avoiding collisions with other, usually powered, craft on the sea.

I would like to acknowledge the roles taken by ARC Chairman Mike Lee and Councillor Christine Rose, both with kayaking experience, in helping the ARC sub committee, Crs Paul Walbran, Bill Burrill, Jan Sinclair and chaired by Dianne Glen, see the issues from the perspective of kayakers. The eventual course of action, i.e. educating kayakers rather than prescriptive rules, is what harbourmaster John Lee-Richards and kayakers had originally proposed and is backed by all of Auckland's kayaking and paddling clubs and organisations.

The response of the many individual kayakers, paddlers and paddle organisations to this issue was overwhelming. I would like to thank all those who gave time and thought to making submissions and organising the paddling community to respond.

The process of arriving at a suitable compromise was an interesting exercise and you may read about it here, if you are interested.

This site is a reminder of what can happen when there is sufficient consultation between those chosen to govern and those who must live and play by their imposed rules.

Kevin Dunsford
- On behalf of 50 Auckland paddle organisations and many kayaking and paddling individuals.

info @ kayaker. org. nz
tel + 64 9 410 3696

Now listen you paddlers in Auckland
Take heed of what I'm going to say
Get out on the water and paddle
Carpe Diem yo Seize the Day.

There are Forces at Work in our City
And even beyond our fair shores
To throttle our quest for Adventure
With nothing to do but make laws
That require us beyond other boaties
To make sure that we're Fit to be Seen
In ways that defy definition
You paddlers will know what I mean.

Yon whales and dolphins watch out now
Your colour leaves much to desire
Red yellow or pink is better than black
Would you want to raise boat racer's ire?
A flag on your fin would do nicely
Two metres above your blowhole
If you haven't a light then keep out of the night
If getting home safely's your goal.

A kayak's a dangerous vessel
That can plough into speedboats at will
So watch it you speed crazy paddle fiends
A hole in a launch means a Bill
No matter if said launch is anchored
And dressed up in full beige mode
You simply weren't Keeping a Lookout
As required in the Rules of the Road.

But the other way round if a kayak
Is bedecked in a similar way
It's your bloody fault that you're sinking
If the Forces at Work hold their sway.

I fully respect all the people
Who look after our safety it's said
But most of us are really thoughtful
And would much rather die in our bed.

Email: Mike Randall

New Rule 2.17 - Visibility of kayaks and paddle craft

1. Every person operating a kayak or paddle craft of less than seven metres that is navigating in waters beyond 200 metres from the shore shall take steps to enhance its visibility to other vessels. I t is recommended this include:

By day
Taking at least two of the following actions:

• paddling a brightly coloured kayak or paddle craft;
• wearing a brightly coloured PFD or paddle jacket;
• exhibiting a brightly coloured flag on a small mast.

At night

• showing an all-round white light; and
• having ready an electric torch showing a white light which must be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Advice note

1. Recommended minimum flag pole length 1 metre.
2. Recommended flag size 0.03 m2 or larger.
3. Recommend the use of reflective tape on equipment.
4. Recommend a brightly coloured hat.
5. Recommended an all round white light in the inner harbour.

Note: See full version of ARC Navigation Safety Bylaw here.

Don't tell me you're a Christian
Or Muslim to name a few
A Scientologist or Jedi
A practicing Hindu
Tell me how you live your life
What you do all day
How you earn your living
For what things do you pray
Don't tell me you're Indigenous
That you're from outer space
Inform me how you spend your time
On this lovely Earthly place
Describe to me the penguins
You saw the other day
The outer side of Rangi
While you were underway
Sing me songs of sunsets
Sunrises you have seen
Dolphins playing in the surf
What you love to dream
Don't talk to me of Culture
I've had enough of that
Tell me of the birdsong
You heard from your sleeping mat
Seduce me with your stories
Of paddling at night
The gentle lapping of the waves
A spring tide moon's bright light
Relate to me your tales
Of testing paddling trips
The time you rounded mighty Capes
Some rather nasty rips
Regale me with your memoirs
Of surgery and gardening
Of books you've read or written
Your days of Rock and Rolling
Would that all these tales be told
Of an evening fair
Outside a tent along the coast
Our brilliant lives laid bare.

Email: Mike Randall