Services » Regional Services » Maritime services » Rules and safety information » Jetskiing
All registrations for personal watercraft (jet skis) being used within the Waikato region are now done online.
Both the use of jet skis in the Waikato region and national sales have increased in recent years so we've had to re-think how we manage the registration process.
Using this online tool means we've reduced the time it takes to process your registration. This service also provides you with an online account to easily manage your registrations.
In the Waikato, the sheer size of our inland rivers, lakes and popular coastlines, mixed with the seasonal influx of water users means the risk of harm from jet skis can increase dramatically. Registering your jet ski allows authorities to locate owners or users breaching bylaws on our waters, and assist in identifying stolen jet skis.
Your jet ski only needs to be registered once for use in multiple regions - Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
It is an offence to use an unregistered personal water craft in the Waikato region. 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.
We’ve taken the pain out of registering your jet ski by introducing a new, faster online service. The new registration system allows you to register and pay online, which means your jet ski registration will be confirmed and processed faster.
Before you start, you’ll need the hull serial number, make and model of your jet ski. At any time, you can save your incomplete online form and come back to it at a later date.
To access this service you will need to use a RealMe® account. >> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER(external link)
RealMe® is a New Zealand Government initiative which helps to prove who you are when you’re online. Many government services now use this tool.
There are two price options.
Registration stickers included - $50 one-off charge.
Registration stickers not included - $35 one-off charge.
It will be your responsibility to signwrite the registration number on your jet ski.
When you complete your online registration you can choose to either receive a pre-printed label (registration sticker) or you can signwrite the number on yourself.
If you select the pre-printed label option it will be posted to you from our Hamilton or Whitianga offices.
Please allow up to 10 business days for the label to be printed and received at your address.
If you choose to signwrite your own number, please allow up to 5 business days for us to confirm payment and issue your registration number.
Registration stickers are like the number plate on your car. They must be clearly displayed on each side of the craft above the water.
Key requirements for displaying your registration:
- The registration must be above the waterline.
- Each number must be at least 90mm high.
- The registration must be clearly legible from 50m away (i.e. contrasting colours and not in the foot well of the vessel).
If you have sold or are planning to sell your jet ski you will need to update these details to ensure the registration is transferred to the correct owner.
If you registered your jet ski online, you can login to our online service and select the transfer option in your current registration record. Our team will then follow through the transfer with the new owner.
If your jet ski was registered using the old printed forms, or you do not know the current owner’s details, you will need to complete a manual Transfer or Ownership form and send the request into us.
Download and print off a transfer of ownership form [PDF, 73 KB] and email your completed form to pwcregistrations@waikatoregion.govt.nz
You may choose to deregister your jet ski because it is no longer in use, has been written-off or stolen.
If you have registered your jet ski using our online system you can deregister at any time by logging in to our online service and selecting the deregister option in your current registration record.
If you haven’t registered your jet ski via our online system you can simply email us at pwcregistrations@waikatoregion.govt.nz with the details of your jet ski and request deregistration.
Click on a question or problem to expand and read the answer.
Please call the Realme® helpline on 0800 664 774 or go to realme.govt.nz/help.
Yes, our services are available in mobile-friendly view.
No. We will only accept payment through our online system. You can use either credit card or debit card.
No. We need to confirm payment before issuing a registration number.
If you haven’t heard from us about finalising your registration within 5 business days for sign written numbers or 10 business days for printed labels, please call our Maritime Services team during office hours on freephone 0800 800 401.
RealMe® is managed by the New Zealand Government, so Waikato Regional Council does not have access to the details you used to create your login.
Before heading out on a jet ski make sure you are up to speed on all the rules and regulations.
