Jet Boating New Zealand

Jet Boating New Zealand Representing the interests of jet boaters across nine geographic regions around New Zealand. So what are you waiting for, Join JBNZ Now!

If you've purchased a jet boat, already have one, or just interested in jet boats and helping keep our rivers open- Join Jet Boating New Zealand. You get access to over 2000 members who love to help and provide advice to new members and have great local community support in a region near you. Join online using the sign up link on this page and we will be in touch to tell you more about the benefit

s of being a JBNZ Member and put you in touch with your local JBNZ members. https://www.jbnz.co.nz/join-jbnz/

Jet boating NZ - Nelson/Marlborough was out on the river this weekend running their Barnardos Active Dads Day. What a wo...
21/06/2026

Jet boating NZ - Nelson/Marlborough was out on the river this weekend running their Barnardos Active Dads Day.

What a wonderful initiative to run as a branch. Giving families their first experience of Jet Boating can be life changing as we all know. There could well be some future JBNZ members right there!

A very rewarding day for all involved.

It’s not always about the rivers!We love seeing our members out and about enjoying their boats in all sorts of locations...
18/06/2026

It’s not always about the rivers!

We love seeing our members out and about enjoying their boats in all sorts of locations. Canterbury member Dave Brunton sent in these great photos from a cruise around Lyttelton Harbour on Tuesday in his Jet 83. A bit of a change from his Jet 44 which Dave spends a lot of time jet boating on the Canterbury rivers.

But how good does the big old classic girl look out on the ocean? She certainly hasn’t lost her looks over the years. A true classic on the water and one of the great Hamilton jet boats, still out there providing transport, adventure and plenty of memories for their owners.

While Dave’s Jet 83 is no longer running its original engine, it is now powered by a Toyota Lexus 4.0-litre V8, which certainly helps get the big girl moving when required.

A big thank you to Dave for sending these photos through.

If you’ve got photos of your jet boating adventures, we’d love to see them. Send them in and we may share them on the JBNZ page for everyone to enjoy.

⛽ Don’t Forget One of the Best JBNZ Member Benefits! ⛽Fuel is a part of jet boating, and whether you’re heading away for...
16/06/2026

⛽ Don’t Forget One of the Best JBNZ Member Benefits! ⛽

Fuel is a part of jet boating, and whether you’re heading away for a weekend adventure, attending a club event, or simply filling up the tow wagon, every litre saved helps keep you on the water for longer.

As a Jet Boating New Zealand member, you can access exclusive fuel discounts nationwide:

🚛 Diesel
• 14c per litre off the McKeown National Price at McKeown, Caltex and Z Truck Stops throughout New Zealand.

⛽ Petrol
• 9c per litre off the pump price at McKeown sites.

🚗 Petrol & Diesel
• 8c per litre off the pump price at Caltex, Z and Challenge service stations nationwide.

Those savings can quickly add up over a year of boating, towing, travelling and everyday driving. The McKeown Fuel Card remains one of the most valuable benefits available to JBNZ members.

Already have a card? Let us know in the comments how much you’ve saved.

Need to apply? Visit the JBNZ McKeown application page below:
https://mckeown.co.nz/document-downloads/jbnz/

Membership has its benefits, and this is one that keeps delivering every time you fill up.

🏅 Honorary Life Membership Award – David StreetCongratulations to David Street on being awarded Honorary Life Membership...
15/06/2026

🏅 Honorary Life Membership Award – David Street

Congratulations to David Street on being awarded Honorary Life Membership of Jet Boating New Zealand.

David’s involvement with JBNZ spans nearly four decades, beginning as Mid Canterbury Area Representative in 1989 and growing into one of the most influential leadership journeys our organisation has seen.

At a National level, David has served in numerous roles including Vice President, President, Immediate Past President, and has held responsibility for portfolios including Constitution, Finance, Contracts, Policy, Magazine and the Web Board.

David was instrumental in the purchase of the NZ Jet Boating web forum, helped establish consistent national branding, led membership growth initiatives that strengthened both membership numbers and financial sustainability, and played a key role in the development of Friendly Manager. He also led the formation of the JBNZ Heritage Trust and served as its inaugural Chairman of Trustees.

His work modernising JBNZ included upgrading Jet Magazine to its current format, introducing teleconference meetings, transitioning administration to a professional office-based model, and driving major constitutional and governance improvements that continue to benefit members today.

Over the years, David organised countless river runs on the Rangitata, Ashburton and Rakaia Rivers, introduced the first Rakaia Poker Run.

There is so much more that could be mentioned, and no single post can truly capture the scale of David’s contribution to both Canterbury Branch and Jet Boating New Zealand. His dedication, leadership, and commitment over many years have left a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations of jet boaters.

Congratulations David, and thank you for your outstanding service to Jet Boating New Zealand.

Congratulations to Ronald Clearwater on being awarded a Jet Boating New Zealand National Service Award at the 2026 Natio...
15/06/2026

Congratulations to Ronald Clearwater on being awarded a Jet Boating New Zealand National Service Award at the 2026 National AGM.

Ronald’s contribution to jet boating has been nothing short of outstanding. A member of Jet Boating New Zealand since 2015, he has dedicated over a decade of service to the Waitaki Branch, holding roles including Chairman, Vice Chairman, Rivers Officer, Safety Officer and committee member. He has organised countless events, represented Waitaki at National Conferences, and helped host a National Conference.

At a national level, Ronald has served as Jet Boating New Zealand’s National Rivers Officer since 2019. During that time, he has overseen district plan reviews, navigation safety bylaw reviews, resource consent processes, river advocacy projects and studies that have helped protect and improve access to rivers throughout New Zealand. His leadership has played a major role in gaining and retaining access to many of the rivers we enjoy today.

Known for his calm, thoughtful and collaborative approach, Ronald has built strong teams, encouraged others to contribute their expertise, and remained focused on achieving positive outcomes for jet boaters across the country.

There is so much more that could be mentioned about Ronald’s contribution to our sport, but one thing is certain: the time, effort and dedication he has given to Jet Boating New Zealand has left a lasting legacy that will benefit jet boaters for many years to come.

Congratulations Ronald, and thank you for your outstanding service to jet boating in New Zealand.

Congratulations to Ross Bailey on receiving a Jet Boating New Zealand National Service Award for Services to Membership....
15/06/2026

Congratulations to Ross Bailey on receiving a Jet Boating New Zealand National Service Award for Services to Membership.

Ross’s contribution to Jet Boating New Zealand spans four decades, having joined the organisation in 1986. He has been a dedicated member of the Central Districts Branch Committee for more than 20 years, a successful river racer, a former New Zealand Jet Boat Marathon winner, and a long-serving member of both the JBNZ Management Committee and Board from 2016 to 2026.

While Ross’s achievements on the water are impressive, it is his work behind the scenes that has had an enormous impact on our organisation. Since 2016, Ross has personally welcomed every new member to JBNZ by phone, making an incredible 1,772 calls. These conversations have helped new members feel connected, supported, and engaged from day one.

During this period, JBNZ membership has grown from around 1,400 members to more than 2,700 members. Ross’s commitment to understanding our members, connecting them with their local branches, and helping build a stronger organisation has played a significant role in that success.

While this citation highlights Ross’s incredible contribution to membership growth and mentoring, those who know Ross will know there is so much more that could be mentioned. Whether it’s his decades of service to the Central Districts Branch, his involvement in river racing, his time on the JBNZ Board, or the countless hours spent helping members behind the scenes, Ross has made a lasting contribution to jet boating in New Zealand that extends far beyond what can fit into a single citation.

Even as he steps down from the JBNZ Board after ten years of service, Ross has committed to continuing this important membership welcome role.

Thank you Ross for your dedication, countless volunteer hours, and unwavering commitment to Jet Boating New Zealand. Your contribution to our membership growth, member experience, and club culture cannot be underestimated.

A thoroughly deserving recipient of a JBNZ National Service Award. 👏

What a fitting finale to an outstanding weekend as we gathered in the ballroom at The Plymouth International, New Plymou...
15/06/2026

What a fitting finale to an outstanding weekend as we gathered in the ballroom at The Plymouth International, New Plymouth, to celebrate the Taranaki Branch’s 50th Anniversary Dinner.

A huge thank you to the Taranaki Branch for being such fantastic hosts throughout the weekend, and special recognition to Mrs Goldsack, who did a wonderful job as MC, guiding the evening and helping make the celebration so memorable.

The evening included the presentation of several prestigious national awards. Congratulations to Ronald Clearwater and Ross Bailey, who both received National Service Awards, and to David Street, who was awarded Honorary Life Membership. We will be recognising each of these deserving recipients in separate posts to properly acknowledge their significant contributions to Jet Boating New Zealand.

Guests also enjoyed hearing from a number of significant branch members who reflected on the history, achievements, and people who have helped shape the Taranaki Branch over the past 50 years. The cutting of the anniversary cake was a special moment and a fitting way to celebrate this remarkable milestone.

One of the highlights of the evening was the fantastic historical display showcasing the rich history of the Taranaki Branch. Members spent considerable time exploring the photographs, memorabilia, and stories that reflected on five decades of jet boating, friendships, adventures, and achievements.

The meal was exceptional, featuring a fantastic main course followed by truly divine desserts. As the evening continued, many stories were shared, friendships strengthened, and a few celebratory drinks enjoyed as members reflected on a wonderful weekend together.

To top off an already memorable evening, guests were presented with a stunning commemorative gift package to take home, providing a lasting reminder of this very special occasion and the incredible effort that went into organising it.

On behalf of Jet Boating New Zealand, thank you once again to the Taranaki Branch for the enormous amount of work that went into hosting this event. Your hospitality, organisation, and passion for our sport made the 50th Anniversary celebrations one to remember.

Here’s to the next 50 years of jet boating in Taranaki.

Conference 2026 – Saturday Morning and Afternoon RecapSaturday was another full and productive day at the Jet Boating Ne...
14/06/2026

Conference 2026 – Saturday Morning and Afternoon Recap

Saturday was another full and productive day at the Jet Boating New Zealand Conference 2026, with delegates coming together to discuss the challenges, opportunities and future direction of our sport.

The day began with a recap of Friday’s discussions and the introduction of the newly elected 2026 JBNZ Board before moving into a series of informative presentations and workshops.

Len French and Ronald Clearwater shared real world examples of river access successes and lessons learned from around the country, highlighting the importance of advocacy and protecting access for future generations of jet boaters.

A big thank you to Matt Wood from Maritime New Zealand for taking the time to speak with delegates about the regulatory environment, Maritime NZ’s role in supporting recreational boating, and the future direction of boating policy. The open floor Q&A session provided valuable discussion and gave members the opportunity to raise questions directly.

Grant Wilson then led a session on advocacy and partnerships, exploring how membership, councils, stakeholders and strong relationships can influence positive outcomes for our sport.

The morning concluded with a social media workshop presented by Joe Daly. The session focused on creating and promoting events, boosting engagement, sharing content and using social media to better connect with members and attract the next generation of jet boaters.

The afternoon centred on administration updates, Friendly Manager improvements, website developments and a collaborative workshop focused on defining river attributes for the JBNZ River Map project. Delegates worked together to share knowledge and help shape a valuable resource for members across New Zealand.

A huge thank you once again to the Taranaki Branch for hosting a well organised and engaging conference. The conversations, ideas and collaboration over the weekend have demonstrated the strength of our membership and the passion people have for protecting and growing jet boating in New Zealand.

Jet Boating NZ Conference 2026 – Friday RecapDay one of the Jet Boating New Zealand Conference 2026 was a huge success a...
14/06/2026

Jet Boating NZ Conference 2026 – Friday Recap

Day one of the Jet Boating New Zealand Conference 2026 was a huge success and set the tone for the weekend ahead.

A huge thank you to the Taranaki Branch for hosting this year’s conference in New Plymouth. The effort that went into organising the event has been outstanding, and it has been fantastic catching up with jet boaters from around the country.

Friday’s programme focused on understanding where JBNZ is today and helping shape where we go next. We heard updates on membership, finances, board elections and the strategic plan from outgoing President Len French, before branches from around New Zealand shared their successes, challenges and ideas during the branch roundtable discussions.

Katie McNabb then provided an insightful presentation on the history of the regulatory landscape, helping members better understand the environment we operate in and the importance of engaging with it.

The afternoon concluded with the JBNZ Annual General Meeting, where important discussions and decisions helped set the direction for the year ahead.

The conference theme, “Read the River – Shape the Flow”, was certainly reflected throughout the day, with plenty of constructive conversations, collaboration and forward thinking.

Friday evening saw everyone head to the New Plymouth Fishing and Underwater Club for the conference function. The Taranaki Branch put on a fantastic meal, and a challenging team task soon had everyone putting their heads together. It certainly got the brain working, created plenty of laughs, and was a great way for members from around the country to connect and enjoy each other’s company.

Thank you again to the Taranaki Branch, our presenters, volunteers and everyone who attended and contributed.

A huge amount of hard work, persistence, meetings, submissions, and advocacy has gone on behind the scenes to achieve th...
11/06/2026

A huge amount of hard work, persistence, meetings, submissions, and advocacy has gone on behind the scenes to achieve this outcome. It’s great to see those efforts paying off.

Well done to all those who contributed their time and energy to making this happen. These wins don’t occur by accident and are a reminder of what can be achieved when our jet boating community works together.

Thank you to everyone involved.

Address

Christchurch

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 9:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+64276418814

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