Schedule 1 - Location specific information

In accordance with subclause 4.2.2 (Location specific schedules), any clauses contained in this schedule shall be read in conjunction with all other clauses in this bylaw.

Area covered

This schedule applies to the waters of the Waikato River from the northern end of Motukakaho Island upstream to Meremere as shown on Map 14.

Speed of vessels

S1.14.1 The provisions of 3.2.1 and 3.2.3 of the bylaw, which relate to speed in the vicinity of other vessels, persons or structures, have been replaced by S1.14.2 and S1.14.3 of this schedule, which provide similar restrictions but with varied distances.

This means that subject to subclauses S1.14.2 and S1.14.3, which relate to conditions specific to the northern end of Motukakaho Island upstream to Meremere, the 5 knot speed limit referred to in subclauses 3.2.1 and 3.2.3 of this bylaw still applies to the northern end of Motukakaho Island upstream to Meremere. For the avoidance of doubt, a breach of the conditions set out in subclauses S1.14.2 and S1.14.3, namely exceeding 5 knots in the northern end of Motukakaho Island upstream to Meremere in circumstances which are in breach of the conditions of subclauses S1.14.2 and S1.14.3, shall constitute a breach of clause 3.2.

S1.14.2 No person shall, without reasonable excuse, propel or navigate a vessel (including a vessel towing someone or some object) at a proper speed exceeding 5 knots in any of the following circumstances, except during the duck hunting moratorium, when the duck hunting moratorium rules shall apply to all users operating within the channel:

1. when passing through a recognised anchorage; or
2. within 200 metres of any vessel or raft that is flying Flag A (diver’s flag) of the International Code of Signals; or
3. when passing within 30 metres of any other vessel, or any person in the water, rowing, bathing, hunting or fishing (except rowing coaching/support vessels); or
4. when passing within 30 metres of any structure in the river; or
5. when passing within a radius of 50 metres of the launching ramp at Mercer, and the launching site in front of the rowing clubs at Mercer; or
6. at Tuakau, when passing within 50 metres upstream of the old boat ramp through to 50 metres downstream of the new boat ramp and extending from the shore for 50 metres.

S1.14.3 No person shall cause or allow himself or herself to be towed by a vessel (whether or not on a water ski, aquaplane, wakeboard or other similar object) at a proper speed exceeding 5 knots in any circumstances specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of subclause S1.14.2.

S1.14.4 Definitions applying to this schedule

Duck hunting moratorium
During the duck hunting moratorium, subclause 3.2.1 shall apply to all areas, including the water ski, rowing, swimming and personal water craft zones, except that no person shall exceed 15 knots on any part of the channel.

The channel
The channel includes all parts of the river that have been reserved outlined in Map 14 and specifically excludes that part not outlined at both ends and all streams and tributaries entering the river, and begins at the downstream end of Motukakaho Island and finishes at Gregory Road (south of Meremere).

Reserved areas

S1.14.5 Towing zone
In accordance with subclause 3.9.3, the area at the upstream end of Namuheiriro Island and finishing at the upstream end of Motutieke Island, as shown on Map 14 shall be reserved as a towing zone.

Within this zone:

1. No person shall use a personal water craft in the towing zone, unless the personal water craft is being used to tow a person or object.
2. All other recreational vessels not engaged in water skiing or the towing of other persons or objects may proceed through the towing zone and must give right of way to users engaged in water skiing or the towing of other persons or objects.
3. Any person bathing, hunting, fishing or using the river other than by a vessel shall not obstruct or impede any water skiing or towing of other persons or objects.
4. Any vessel water skiing or towing of other persons or objects shall at all times proceed in an anticlockwise direction, and pass port to port.

S1.14.6 Personal water craft zone
In accordance with subclause 3.9.3, the area from upstream of the Tuakau Bridge to the Smeed Road Quarry, as shown on Map 14 shall be reserved as a personal water craft zone. Personal water craft users shall only use the channel to access (in a direct line) their designated area from launching areas at Mercer and Les Batkin Reserve.

Within this zone:

1. All other recreational vessels not engaged in personal water craft use may proceed through the personal water craft zone to other parts of the channel, and must give right of way to users engaged in personal water craft activities. All passing traffic shall pass on the southern side of the channel (i.e. the bank closest to the Onewhero side of the channel).
2. Any person bathing, hunting, fishing or using the river other than by a vessel shall not obstruct or impede any personal water craft activity.
3. Any vessel shall at all times proceed in an anticlockwise direction, and pass port to port.

S1.14.7 Swimming zone
In accordance with subclause 3.9.3, the area near the Mercer launching area and the area near the Les Batkin Reserve, both areas being upstream from the launching areas, as shown on Map 14, shall be reserved as swimming zones.

Within these zones:

1. All swimmers must keep at least 10 metres away from boats using the launching ramp and from water ski drop off areas.
2. All users operating within the swimming zone are expected to operate with special consideration for swimmers and have particular regard for subclause S1.14.2 (c) which restricts the speed of all users to 5 knots or less when within 30 metres of a person swimming in the channel or to subclause S1.14.2 (e) which restricts the speed of all users within a 50 metre radius of the launching areas at Mercer or to subclause S1.14.2 (f) which restricts speed near the launching ramps at Tuakau. The strictest distance applies in any particular case.

S1.14.8 Rowing zone
In accordance with subclause 3.9.3, the area from near Gregory Road through to Smeed Road Quarry, as shown on Map 14, shall be reserved as a rowing zone.

Within this zone:

1. All vessels are expected to operate with special consideration for rowers and their coaching/support vessels and have particular regard for subclause S1.14.2 (c), which restricts the speed of all users, except for coaching/support vessels, to 5 knots or less when within 30 metres of a person rowing in the channel.
2. Any vessel shall at all times proceed in an anticlockwise direction, and pass port to port.

Note: The provisions of these clauses will be particularly relevant during the rowing season, which starts at the beginning of October and finishes at the end of March.

S1.14.9 5 knot zone
In accordance with subclause 3.9.3, the area of the Waikato River, 250 metres upstream and downstream of the Tauranganui Marae, as shown on Map 14, is reserved as a 5 knot zone.

Please note: Water users may encounter waka and/or other customary activities in this area.

Within this zone:

1. no vessel shall, without reasonable excuse, exceed 5 knots

Map 14: Waikato River – Motukakaho Island upstream to Meremere