The Rotorua Te Arawa lakes are used for events throughout the year. Some events require full or partial lake closures. Event guidelines and safety on lakes are covered under the Navigation Safety on the Rotorua Lakes. For more information call the Lakes Maritime Team on 0800 884 880 or view the Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017.
To book an event requiring full or partial lake closure please fill out the Aquatic Event Application Form.
To book an event where lake closure is not required please fill out the Lake and Harbour Usage Form.
Applications require a map defining the lake area required for the event. To download a map to attach to your application please click on the lake name or area.
For more information please read the Rotorua Lake Closures Guidelines 2011.
Maps: Lake Ōkāreka, Lake Rotorua, Beaumont Road, Rotorua Lakefront, Hannahs Bay, Hamurana, Lake Rotomā, Hamurana, Matahi Spit, Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotoehu, Blue Lake / Tikitapu, Lake Ōkataina and Lake Tarawera.
Open with special controls in place
Boat and watercraft access for Lake Ōkataina will be available four days a week, Friday to Monday daily 6am to 8pm, until April 29 2024, subject to meeting Check-Clean-Dry requirements. Boat and watercraft access to the lake will be closed from Monday at 8pm until Friday 6am.
All other CAN requirements remain in place including the requirement for watercraft to go through the wash station before travelling directly to Lake Ōkataina on the day of access. If watercraft stay overnight, keeping their boat moored or on trailer at site, they can access the lake without being required to go through the wash station again.
From April 30 2024 to June 30 2024 access will be limited to three days a week, from Friday 7am to Sunday 6pm.
There are no health warnings.
MAR 3 - Hui-a-Waka Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Sunday 3 March 2024
Event / Who
Hui-a-Waka 2024 - Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Rotorua Lakefront
Details TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
There is currently a health warning.
FEB 24 - Bryce Newton 100 Miler-NZWSRA
Saturday 24 February 2024
Who/Event
NZ Water Ski Racing Assn
Bryce Newton 100 Miler
Details
Full Lake Closure. Check map below
Map showing both open and closed areas of lake during event (pdf, 240kb)
24 Feb 2024 Timeframe
0700 - 1800 hours
Set up 0700
Event 0800-1730
Pack down 1730-1800
CONFIRMED BOOKING
FEB 26-MAR 1 - Tamariki Regatta/TPOTI SS Regionals Waka Ama
Monday 26 February - Friday 1 March 2024
Event / Who
Tamariki Waka Ama Regatta 2024 - Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Te Puku o Te Ika Regional Secondary School Waka Ama 2024
FULL LAKE CLOSURE - MAIN BODY OF LAKE AND NORTH WESTERN PASSIVE AREA
REMAINING PASSIVE AREAS ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC THROUGHOUT EVENT
Map showing Course and Open/Closed areas of the Lake, pdf 337KB
Lake Closure Period.
Monday 26 Feb - 0700 hrs to Friday 1 March - 1800 hrs
Event Timeframe
Monday - Tuesday
Set Up Days 0700 hrs Mon -1900 hrs Tues
Wednesday - Friday
Event Days 0900-1500 hrs each day
Friday
Pack Down 1530-1800 hrs
CONFIRMED BOOKING
MAR 15-16 - Legend of the Lake Swim
Friday 15 - Saturday 16 March 2024
Who/Event
Ocean Swim Series - Legend of the Lake Swim
The Event Dudes
Details
FULL LAKE CLOSURE - Entire Lake Closed
View COURSE MAPS and EVENT TIMELINE, (pdf 605kb)
CONFIRMED BOOKING
MAR 16-22 - SS Waka Ama Nationals - TWPT
Saturday 16th - Friday 22nd March 2024
Event / Who
Secondary Schools Waka Ama Nationals 2024 - Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Further information follow the link below:
https://www.wakaama.co.nz/racecalendar/lookup/2140
FULL LAKE CLOSURE - ENTIRE LAKE CLOSED
Lake Closure Period.
Saturday 16 Mar 0700 hrs to Friday 22 March 1900 hrs
Event Timeframe : 16-22 March
Saturday - Monday Set Up Days
0700 hrs Sat -1900 hrs Mon
Tuesday - Friday Event Days
0800-1600 hrs each day
Friday Pack Down
1400-2000 hrs
CONFIRMED BOOKING
APR 5-6 - XTERRA-First Tier Production
NOTE: This event is for 2024
Fri 05 - Sat 06 April 2024
Event/Who:
XTERRA (off road Triathlon) - First Tier Sports Production
Time / Closure Details
TBC
Lake Closure Area and any Open Areas
TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
APR 27-28 Waterski Competiion Rotorua Wake & Ski Club
Saturday 27-Sunday 28 April 2024
Who/Event
Rotorua Wake & Ski Club
Lake Tikitapu Water Ski Tournament
Details
TBC
Timetable
TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
There are no health warnings.