Pass it on

Take two comms

Anyone on the water should have two forms of waterproof communications: a mobile in a sealed bag, VHF radio, flares or a locator beacon.

Know the five-knot rule

How fast can you go on the water? If you’re on inland waterways like lakes and rivers, 5 knots max 30 metres from the shore or 50 metres from structures.

If you’re at sea, 5 knots max 50 metres from people or vessels and 200 metres from the coast, structures and divers.

Lifejackets on

Lifejackets save lives. Everyone on board a vessel under 6 metres must wear one. If in doubt, put it on anyway.

Check LAWA

We’re checking water quality at popular spots over summer. Check the latest information on LAWA before you go.

Check, clean, dry

Invasive freshwater pests, such as koi carp, freshwater invasive clams, alligator weed and hornwort, are found in parts of the Waikato, and can easily hitch a ride on watercraft and gear.

If you’ve been on the water, it’s important that you follow the Check, Clean, Dry method for craft, gear, equipment and clothing. It’s our strongest line of defence against invasive freshwater species.

A new rule under the Biosecurity Act to prevent the spread of invasive freshwater clams also forbids all wake boats that have been on the stretch of the Waikato River between Whakamaru Dam to the river mouth at Port Waikato from being used in any other waterways, including other parts of the Waikato River.

Clean before and after

Dirt and diseases can latch onto shoes, bikes, tools, cars and dog paws so clean up before and after you explore the forest.

Clean before and after

Sensitive kauri root zones can reach three times as wide as their canopies. So keep your distance clean your gear to protect kauri.

Use the accessways

Keep to marked accessways to protect our native plants and dunes that help shield us from storms.

Check LAWA

Good day for a swim? Check the results of our water quality monitoring of popular spots over summer. See LAWA before you go.

Watch out for sea spurge

Sea spurge is a toxic pest weed invading our coast from Aussie. If you see it, tell us before it makes itself at home.

Please don’t disturb the plants – you could spread the seeds. Also, the sap is toxic, so be careful it doesn’t get on your skin.

Try the Flex bus

Hamilton’s on-demand bus runs 6pm–4am Fridays and Saturdays for only $2 per person. Book on the Flex app.

More buses, less waiting

The next bus will be here sooner with 102 more trips across the Hamilton network weekly, from 5 February.

More trips with Te Huia

Te Huia is making an extra return trip every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 8 February. Pass it on and save someone a drive to Auckland.

Dispose of weeds wisely

If you’re at home or at the bach, keep garden waste out of gullies and natural areas. Pests spread by accident too. Compost on site or take to a refuse centre.