The Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade Campaign aims to swap old lifejackets for new ones to keep people safe in and around the water.
Community engagement co-ordinator Georgina Ririnui and worker Isabelle Cushman travelled to Oamaru on Wednesday as part of the campaign.
People who handed in old lifejackets could get $30 off a new one, with the option of mariner jackets, reactors, inflatables and aquavests, Ms Ririnui said.
Depending on the state of the lifejackets handed in, they would be redistributed or disposed of.
The team received different types of lifejackets at the trade-ins, including inflatables, lifejackets with a neck attached, and buoyancy vests, with no neck attached.
Ms Ririnui estimated about 75% of the jackets handed in would need to be dumped as many were more than 20 years old.
As well as the trade-in service they were also offering information about lifejackets.
"As much as the campaign, the education is part of it."
The duo could also look at people’s lifejacket and see whether it was still up to standard or needed to be replaced.
"I don’t think we know enough about the equipment we are using," she said.
Ms Cushman said maintaining lifejackets was extremely important.
"Your jacket is what you’re relying on to save your life."
Many people were not informed about their jackets.
Some had inflatables but had never checked the state of the canister, which could corrode with exposure to saltwater, making them ineffective.
Automatically inflating lifejackets faced the same canister issues but also had to have the sensors checked, as they could expire.
Foam jackets also degraded when exposed to water and mildew, reducing their buoyancy.
Kapok-filled lifejackets could also pose a risk if they had a puncture.
The material could soak up water and act as an anchor, causing people to drown.
People could buoyancy-test their jackets in still water and see if they floated. If not, it was time for new ones.
The duo would be travelling around the South Island over the next two weeks.
