Boat Navigation Lights: NZ Rules, Types, Setup & Best Picks

Shopping for boat navigation lights can feel like wading through a reef of regulations, specs and marketing claims. This guide cuts straight to what matters: the exact lights Maritime Rule Part 22 demands on Kiwi vessels, how to fit them so every arc is correct, and the proven models you can buy right now without blowing the cruising budget.

Follow the steps below and you’ll sail away with compliant, glare-free lighting that keeps you visible in squalls and keeps harbourmasters happy. First we outline the rules, then compare light styles and technologies, set out fool-proof selection tips, walk through wiring and upkeep, and finally shortlist six lights sold in New Zealand that tick every box. Let’s get underway.

Why Navigation Lights Matter for Kiwi Boaties

Whether you run a 4 m tinny on Lake Taupō or a 15 m cruiser in the Hauraki Gulf, being seen is half the battle. Navigation lights are your rolling “I-am-here” billboard after sunset and in the fog banks that can roll in within minutes along the New Zealand coast. Maritime NZ’s 2023 Recreational Boating Report attributes 43 % of night-time collision investigations to vessels that were “not properly lit”. Reliable gear, therefore, isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a life-preserver.

On the legal front, harbourmasters from Northland to Southland are actively checking lights during random patrols. Failing the test can cost up to $200 on the spot and, worse, invalidate insurance if an accident follows. A solid lighting set-up offers peace of mind when the winter sun dives behind the horizon at 5 pm and the weather flips from bluebird to pea-soup in a single squall.

The Safety Perspective

• 360° visibility means other skippers know you exist, even when swell hides half your hull.
• Colour coding (red port, green starboard, white stern/masthead) instantly signals who keeps clear in:
  • Crossing situations
  • Overtaking another vessel
  • Head-on meetings in narrow channels
• Consistent brightness also helps rescue crews lock onto your position if the worst happens.

The Legal Perspective

Lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility drops below about 2 km—think fog, driving rain, or heavy sea spray. Under Maritime Rule Part 22, enforcement officers can board, photograph deficiencies, and issue infringement notices on the spot. Repeated breaches may escalate to prosecution under the Maritime Transport Act, so skippers who skip a pre-departure bulb check could end up in court, not just lighter in the wallet.

Understanding NZ Navigation Light Rules (Maritime Rule Part 22)

Maritime Rule Part 22 copies the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) but adds a few Kiwi wrinkles. The rule tells skippers exactly which boat navigation lights must be shown, their brightness, height and angle, all referenced to vessel length and whether you’re under sail, power, tow or anchor. Get the categories wrong and the rest of your set-up is automatically non-compliant.

Vessel Length & Type Categories

*Extra anchor light is needed when not making way.

Mandatory Lights and Their Arcs of Visibility

Port 112.5° | Masthead 225° | Starboard 112.5°

<— Red ————|—— White ————|—— Green —>

Stern White 135° (centre aft)

The combined arc equals 360°, ensuring no blind zones.

Special Situations & Exceptions

• Anchored boats under 50 m: single all-round white 2 nm light.
• Sailing yachts < 20 m may substitute a masthead tricolour only while under sail.
• Vessels towing/trawling, restricted in ability, aground or not under command display additional yellow or red combinations as listed in Rule 24–28.

Common Compliance Mistakes in NZ

• Mounting masthead too low—must be at least 1 m above sidelights.
• Using cheap LEDs that drift from true red/green, failing colour spec.
• Side lights masked by bow rails or fenders.
• Flat batteries on porta-boats; lights work at ramp but die by dusk.
• Forgetting to swap from tricolour to power configuration when motor engaged.

Stay within these parameters and your lights will pass any harbourmaster spot check.

Types of Boat Navigation Lights Explained

Choosing the right fitting isn’t only about ticking the legal box; it affects battery life, glare on deck and how tough the light is when salt and UV attack. Below we break down the core categories every Kiwi skipper should know before browsing the shelves.

Mandatory Light Categories

• Side lights – either separate red (port) and green (starboard) units, or a combined bi-colour lamp right on the bow.
• Stern light – white, 135 ° arc, mounted as close as practicable to the transom centreline.
• Masthead (steaming) light – white, 225 ° arc, at least one metre above the sidelights on powered vessels.
• All-round white – 360 ° visibility; can substitute masthead + stern on boats under 7 m doing ≤ 7 kn, and doubles as the anchor light when stationary.

Optional & Specialist Lights

• Tricolour masthead for sailing craft under 20 m (sail only).
• Yellow towing or trawling lights.
• Underwater or courtesy LEDs for deck ambience—handy, but never a legal replacement.

Light Technology: LED vs Incandescent vs Halogen

LEDs dominate 2025 chandlery shelves: 80–90 % lower draw, 50 000 h life and crisp colour that stays within COLREG spec. Incandescent and halogen still work but eat amps, run hot and blow when voltage spikes. Check for multi-volt (9–33 V) drivers to handle both 12 V and 24 V systems.

Mounting Styles & Housing Materials

• Deck, rail, pole, flush or portable clamp-on brackets cover most hull layouts.
• UV-stable ASA plastics keep weight down; marine-grade 316 stainless gives lifetime corrosion resistance.
• Look for IP67/IP68 ratings, potted electronics and vibration-proof seals—especially on alloy tinnies that pound across chop.

How to Choose the Right Navigation Lights for Your Vessel

A little planning saves you buying the wrong gear, over-loading the battery, or failing the next harbourmaster check. Run through the points below before you hit “add to cart”.

Match Lights to Vessel Size, Speed & Power Source

*Numbers are manufacturer averages—follow visibility range (2 nm / 3 nm) on the spec sheet.

Electrical Considerations

Match lamps to your system voltage (12 V trailer boats, 24 V launches). Use tinned 2 mm² cable for runs <6 m, fit a 3–5 A fuse, and budget <0.2 Ah per night for LED sets.

Durability Factors for NZ Waters

Insist on IP67 or better, UV-stabilised housings, and vibration-damped mounts—especially for alloy tinnies that slam across Hauraki chop and cop constant salt spray.

Certification & Compliance Marks

Look for “COLREG 72”, “ABYC A-16”, “CE”, or “RINA” on the carton; these stamps prove the light met recognised photometric and colour tests—saving debate at ramp inspections.

Brand & Budget Comparison

• Hella Marine: rock-solid, pricey, NZ service centre.
• Perko: broad range, spares easy.
• Lalizas: mid-price, good for yachts.
• Railblaza: kayak-friendly modular lights.
• Easterner: budget option for sheltered waters.
  Pick the quality your use and wallet can justify.

Step-by-Step Setup & Wiring Guide

A tidy installation is the difference between years of trouble-free boating and a dead bulb halfway across the Firth. Work through the steps below in order and your boat navigation lights will stay bright and compliant.

Planning Light Positions and Heights

Measure from the deck: masthead must sit ≥1 m above the sidelights; stern light on the centreline, clear of biminis or fishing rods. Keep a bi-colour lamp forward of bow rails so nothing masks its 112.5 ° arc.

Running the Wiring

Route tinned 2 mm² cable inside conduit where possible. Avoid sharp bends, secure every 300 mm with cushioned P-clips, and label positives (red) and negatives (black/yellow). Add an in-line 3 A fuse close to the battery.

Waterproofing & Corrosion Prevention

Crimp, then heat-shrink with adhesive-lined tubing. Finish joints with dielectric grease, form drip-loops before gland entries, and seal deck penetrations with marine polyurethane.

Testing & Troubleshooting

With a multimeter, confirm ≥12.4 V at each fitting, <0.5 V drop along runs. If LEDs flicker, inspect grounds first; fogged lenses usually clear after a warm-water rinse.

Routine Maintenance Schedule

Pre-season: inspect seals, tighten mounts. Monthly: wipe lenses with freshwater. Annual haul-out: check cable chafe and re-grease connections.

Best Boat Navigation Lights Available in NZ (2025 Edition)

We compared more than 40 models on beam pattern accuracy, build quality, price and local after-sales support. The six winners below are easy to source in Aotearoa right now and all carry recognised COLREG certification.

1. Action Outdoors LED Bi-Colour & Stern Light Set — Best One-Stop Buy

• Price: $159–$179 bundle
• Ideal for: trailer boats, RIBs, yachts up to 12 m
• Pros: multivolt 9–33 V driver, IP67 sealed, stainless screws included, walk-in Auckland warranty desk
• Cons: masthead sold separately (adds ~$79)
• Buy from: Action Outdoors retail store or online checkout

2. Hella Marine NaviLED PRO Series

• Price: $110–$130 per lamp
• Ideal for: powerboats 12–20 m that pound through chop
• Pros: 50 000 h LEDs, UV-stable Grilamid lens, zero radio interference
• Cons: higher upfront cost, fixed-mount only

3. Perko Series 1125 Portable Clamp-On Kit

• Price: $199 kit (side + all-round)
• Ideal for: tinnies, kayaks, small yacht tenders under 7 m
• Pros: runs on three AA batteries, no drilling, packs into carry bag
• Cons: 7-hour battery life if left on anchor mode, clamp scratches unprotected alloy rails

4. Lalizas All-Round Anchor Light with Photocell

• Price: $85–$95
• Ideal for: overnight fishers wanting “set and forget” illumination
• Pros: integrated dusk sensor, draws <0.04 A, pole or deck mount option
• Cons: photocell can false-trigger under bright wharf lights

5. Railblaza Illuminate i360

• Price: $69 pole only / $89 kit with StarPort
• Ideal for: paddlecraft and inflatables where deck space is premium
• Pros: quick-release, floats upright if dropped, NZ-designed mount ecosystem
• Cons: 360° light only—needs side lamps for powered craft

6. Easterner LED Side Lights (Pair) — Budget Pick

• Price: $49–$59
• Ideal for: sheltered-water boats <7 m on a tight budget
• Pros: compact ABS housing, simple two-wire install
• Cons: IP65 rating (fine spray, not full immersion), lens can yellow after long UV exposure

Pick the set that matches your hull length, operating area and wallet, and you’ll be seen from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

Quick Answers to Common Navigation Light Questions

Still scratching your head? The rapid-fire answers below clear up the questions we hear most at the boat ramp and in the shop.

What side do the red and green lights go on?

Red sits on the port (left) side, green on starboard (right). Remember the pub trick: “No red port left in the bottle” and you’ll never forget.

Do I need lights on a 14-foot (4.3 m) boat?

Yes. Any powered vessel, even a 4.3 m runabout, needs either separate sidelights plus a stern light or a 360° all-round white if travelling under 7 kn.

Can I use a tricolour light while motoring?

No. Once the engine is running you’re a power-driven vessel. Switch off the tricolour and show masthead, sidelights, and stern lights instead.

What are the penalties for incorrect lights in NZ?

Harbourmasters can issue instant infringement notices up to $200 for missing, wrong-coloured or poorly positioned lights. Serious breaches can escalate to prosecution under the Maritime Transport Act.

How bright should my anchor light be?

For vessels under 50 m the anchor light must be visible for at least 2 nautical miles. Look for LEDs rated ≥2 nm (roughly 20–60 lumens).

Stay Safe and Seen on the Water

Know the rules, choose certified fittings, wire them neatly, and give every lamp a quick burst-test before you cast off—those four habits will keep you legal, visible and a long way from trouble. Ready to upgrade? Check out the full spread of compliant LEDs, mounting gear and spare parts waiting for you at Action Outdoors. See you out there—lit up, compliant, and collision-free.