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
At midday on Friday 10 November 2023, the temporary CAN that closed Lake Ōkataina on 1 October was lifted and replaced by a new CAN applying to all 14 Te Arawa lakes with special requirements for Lake Ōkataina.
Under the special requirements of the new CAN, all boats must be cleaned at a designated wash station in Rotorua before entering Lake Ōkataina. This is in addition to the clam-specific Check Clean Dry requirements for all boats that have been in the Waikato River.
Access to Lake Ōkataina will be controlled. The lake will be open Friday to Sunday 6:30am-7:00pm.
Read more from Biosecurity NZ here.
There are no health warnings.
2023 30 Sept - Kayak Krazy 10k Champs - CRNZ
Saturday 30 September 2023
Event / Who
10K Krazy Kayak Champs, Canoe Racing NZ
Usage
Lake Usage ONLY - NO CLOSURE OF LAKE
Course Map (docx.240KB)
Description
- 0930 - 1400 hours (includes set up/pack down times)
- Boyes Beach
- A circuit (loop) race of 2.5km, 5km and 10km distances in multiple laps.
- Final in a series of races determining national champion in each age group
CONFIRMED BOOKING
*NEW DATE* 2023 29 Nov-Waka Ama Sprints- Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Postponement Date: Wednesday 29 November 2023
Original Dates: Thursday 02 - Friday 03 Nov 2023 - postponed due to weather
Event / Who
Rotorua Rangatahi Waka Ama Sprints 2023/Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Lake Closure
Monday 0700 hrs - Tuesday 1800 hrs
Area Closed
CLOSED- Adjacent Boyes Beach (Organiser map, JPG 170Kb)
Event Timeframe
Monday
Set Up Day 0700-0900 hrs
Tuesday
Event 0900-1500 hrs
Pack Down 1530-1800 hrs
CONFIRMED BOOKING
There are no health warnings.
2023 14-15 Oct-Rotorua Yacht Club-Spring Sprints Sailing Regatta
Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 October 2023
Event / Who
Spring Sprints Sailing Regatta, Rotorua Yacht Club
LAKE USAGE ONLY - No Lake Closure
1000 hrs - 1600 hrs both days
Location of event
Map showing regatta area (jpg 100kb)
This may change slightly due to weather conditions
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
There is currently a health warning.
2023 1-3 Dec-Tikitapu 1-Canoe Sprint Regatta-CRNZ
Friday 01 - Sunday 03 December 2023
Event / Who
Tikitapu 1 Sprint Regatta, Canoe Racing NZ
Lake Closure
Friday 0700 hrs - Sunday 1900 hrs
Area Closed / Open
Map showing closed areas and open areas during event (JPG, 200kb)
Event Timeframe
Friday
Set Up Day 0700-1800 hrs
Saturday
Event Day 1 0800-1700 hrs
Sunday
Event Day 2 0800-1700 hrs
Pack Down 1500-1900 hrs
CONFIRMED BOOKING
2023 15-16 Dec-Half Marathon-Brand New Day Ltd
Fri 15- Sat 16 December 2023
Event / Who
Half Ironman, Brand New Day Ltd
Lake Closure
Saturday 16 Dec 0515-0700 hours
Area Closed / Open
Course map showing the closed area TO COME
Event Timeframe
Friday 15 Dec
Set Up Day 1500-1700 hours
Saturday 16 Dec
Event Day 0515-0700 hours
Pack Down 0700-0715 hours
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
2024 9-11 Feb-Tikitapu 2-Canoe Sprint Regatta-CRNZ
NOTE: This event is for 2024
Friday 9-11 February 2024
Event / Who
Tikitapu 2 Sprint Regatta, Canoe Racing NZ
Lake Closure
Friday 0700 hrs - Sunday 1900 hrs
Area Closed / Open
CLOSED- Main body of lake closed
OPEN - The passive areas remaining open shown in the map TBC
Event Timeframe
Friday
Set Up Day 0700-1800 hrs
Saturday
Event Day 1 0800-1700 hrs
Sunday
Event Day 2 0800-1700 hrs
Pack Down 1500-1900 hrs
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
2024 15-16 March - Legend of the Lake Swim
NOTE: This event is for 2024
Friday 16 - Saturday 17 March 2024
Who/Event
Ocean Swim Series - Legend of the Lake Swim
Details
TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
2024 5-6 April - 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
There are no health warnings.
