Welcome to the website of the

New Zealand Trailer Boat Federation Inc.

Representing Moored & Trailered Pleasure Craft Clubs

About Us

The Federation is a non-profit incorporated society managed by a committee of mostly* volunteer 'Dominion Elected Councillors' (or 'DEC' for short).  See Contact Details.

Some 46+ years ago the NZTBF was specifically formed by members of the OBC Auckland to combat the then imminent threat of recreational boat registration.

Now, as there was back then, there are a lot of fragmented boatie groups within NZ all trying to do their own thing, often quite ineffectively. This fact, regardless as to what particular barrow these groups are pushing has also been noticed by our Central and Local Governments and is we’re sure, used to great effect against them in the commonly used ‘divide and conquer’ approach.

It is our desire to continue to unite recreational boaties together as part of the NZTBF. The NZTBF is regarded as having “national body” status in many government and non-government organisations and is an ideal platform to help de-fragment at least some of these recreational boatie groups.

New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council (NZRFC) representation.

As you may be aware, fairly recent (2003 & 2004 AGM) NZRFC constitutional changes give greater power to individual clubs allowing them direct membership of the NZRFC. Previously this was not, in practice, all that realistic so members of the NZTBF were represented on the NZRFC by the Federation's delegate. This was funded by a levy of a $1 or so per club member per year. (This system worked much in the same way as the levy payed by some clubs to the NZRFC via the NZBGFC.)

Since these changes, we have given the Federation members the option of either joining the NZRFC directly as “Club Members” and paying their levies directly to the NZRFC or, as some small NZTBF clubs have done, continuing to be represented by the Federation on the NZRFC. Those clubs who are not represented by the Federation on the NZRFC are not levied.

This has had a dramatic impact on our funding but despite this we remain one of six “National Members” of the NZRFC and continue to fund a NZRFC delegate for those member clubs that can’t afford to themselves.

While a closer association with the NZRFC may result in larger Federation membership numbers we feel that with the NZRFC membership changes above, there is now a much more practical focal point for the various (fragmented) fishing oriented clubs to zero in on, provided they want to get involved.

It is perhaps more appropriate that the organisations who are exclusively oriented towards recreational fishing form closer associations with each other.

The NZTBF is not exclusively oriented toward fishing and we are the first to acknowledge that there are other much better suited organisations around to fill this role.

The NZTBF is involved in most recreational boating aspects and has representation on organisations such as Water Safety NZ, Boating Forum Committee, Marine Industries Association, Coast Guard Boating Education, Auckland Harbour Users Association and the Small Boat Safety Committee. We'll join any reasonable group if it makes sense for our members.

Over the past five years (apart from our involvement with NZRFC) we have been involved in areas such as the increased visibility of kayaks, the addition of crotch straps to most children’s life jackets sold in NZ, the light trailer towing regulations, the new Maritime Safety Rule Part 91, the attempt by DOC to ban all jet boats from lake Waikaremoana (with the proposed management plan for Te Urewera National Park), a number of NZ Transport Agency (formerly LTNZ) public consultations, opposition to marine farms and reserves and most recently, opposition to the proposed registration of recreational boats by Environment Waikato.

Prior to this period the Federation has assisted member clubs financially with low interest loans to help them develop their facilities. The Hamilton Cabin Cruising Club (ie. Waikato Boating & Sport Fishing Club Inc formed through merger with Hamilton Pleasure Boat Club once known as The Hamilton Cabin Cruising Club) was once a recipient of one such loan to help build the current club house. Cape Egmont Boating Club was another recipient when they needed funding help for their Clubroom project.

We also had continued involvement with government bodies on the subjects of towing, braking, tow ball sizes, road tax on boat petrol, boat registration, skipper licensing and many more items that span the 46 odd years of history.

We strive to swell our numbers to increase the power of the Federation’s voice, however the process is slow and requires participation from more of our members to help spread the work load, to provide a greater diverse input of ideas and to help spread the word by being delegates in areas we can not cover like Wellington, Hawkes Bay and the upper South Island.

We need for example more people who can search websites on a regular basis for signs of trouble brewing from the government departments ‘advising’ requests for public input, we need people who have contacts within various industries who can help put intelligent submissions together and people who can hunt down addresses and names within other non-member boating clubs.

On that front, the Federation has 21 or so member clubs representing around 3500 people.  It is surprising when you consider that there are around 250 incorporated society-registered boating clubs in New Zealand with interests as wide spread as game fishing, jet boating, water skiing or simply cruising. (This number does not include any sailing, rowing or kayaking clubs.) It’s a heck of a job getting up-to-date details of these other 237 clubs. (if you have any please send them to us).

If your club is already a member, thank you for your suggestions and your clubs continued support for the Federation.

* The Secretary and Treasurer positions attract a small payment of $800 each per annum. 

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