Upgrade Your Safety: New Zealand’s Old4New Life Jacket Exchange is Back for 2025!
Sunscreen? Check.
Snacks? Check.
Life jacket? Umm… where did that go?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to the Coast Guard, most boating fatalities are preventable — and wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest ways to stay safe. Shockingly, only 70% of boaties claim to wear a life jacket at all times. That’s why the Old4New Life Jacket Upgrade programme is back for 2025, and it’s never been easier to trade in your old, worn-out jacket for a shiny new one. NOW!
What is the Old4New Life Jacket Upgrade?
The Old4New Life Jacket Upgrade van is hitting 24 boat ramps across New Zealand this season. The goal? Help Kiwis swap their old, faded, or questionable life jackets (a.k.a. “floating seat cushions”) for a new, certified Hutchwilco life jacket — and save some serious cash while doing it.Here’s how it works:
- Trade in your old life jacket (no matter its age or condition)
- Get a discount of $30–$40 on a brand-new Hutchwilco life jacket
- No limit on the number of jackets you can trade
If you don’t have a life jacket to trade, don’t worry. You can still purchase a new jacket at the van’s regular prices.
Where Can You Find the Old4New Van?
The Old4New van is on the move, visiting 24 ramp locations across New Zealand. But it won’t stay in one place for long, so it’s essential to catch it while it’s in your area. View the full schedule here: Old4New Locations.Pro tip: Get there early. Popular sizes and styles can sell out fast, and you don’t want to miss out on the perfect fit.
Don’t have time to meet the van? No worries. You can also take your old life jacket to Boating & Outdoors stores at specific times for the same deal. Check out the store locations and times here.
How Much Can You Save?
If you’ve seen the price of life jackets lately, you’ll know this is a deal worth grabbing. By trading in your old jacket, you can save $30–$40 per jacket. For a family of four, that’s a hefty discount!EFTPOS and credit cards are accepted, so you won’t need to bring cash. There’s no limit on how many jackets you can trade, and all traded jackets — even if they’re old, ripped, or discoloured — are accepted.
Why Should You Care?
Because it could save your life.Life jackets are essential safety gear for boating, and old jackets degrade over time. A jacket that’s 10+ years old (or one that’s spent too much time in the sun) might not work properly when you need it most. Swapping it for a new, Coast Guard-approved life jacket is a no-brainer — especially when it’s this easy.
Even better, your old jacket won’t go to waste. If it’s still in good condition, the Coast Guard will redistribute it to the community, helping more people stay safe on the water.
Where Did This Programme Come From?
The Old4New Life Jacket Upgrade began in Australia with Transport for New South Wales, but New Zealand has made it its own. Since its introduction, the programme has seen over 4,000 life jackets traded in. It’s supported by Maritime New Zealand, Hutchwilco, Boating & Outdoors, and the Giltrap Group — all working together to make Kiwi boating safer.Ready to Upgrade Your Life Jacket?
Don’t wait until your next trip to the water to think about safety. The Old4New Life Jacket Upgrade is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your family while saving money on premium safety gear.Check out the van schedule, bring your old jackets, and walk away with a new one (or several) at a discounted price. For full details, visit the official page at Old4New NZ.