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.
23 Feb 2020 Bay Dragons OKAREKA
Sunday 23 February 2020
Event / Who
Race the Lakes Dragon Boating / Bay Dragons
Time/Closure/Usage
1000 - 1400 hrs / Lake Usage - No Closure
Description
at Boyes Beach
Confirmed Booking
23 Feb 2020 Annual Charity Kids Raft Race OKAREKA
Sunday 23 February 2020
Event / Who
Annual Charity Kids Raft Race
Thiis is to raise money for Leukaemia + Blood Cancer NZ and also to promote Water Safety on the Lake to youth
Closure/Usage
Lake Usage - No Closure
Description
Based from Acacia Bay
Confirmed Booking
15 Mar Waka Ama Training TWPT OKAREKA
Sunday 15 March 2020
Event / Who
Pre Waka Ama / Te Waiariki Purea Trust
Closure/Usage
Lake Usage - No Closure
Description
Based from Boyes Beach
Confirmed Booking
There are no health warnings.
28 - 30 March 2020 Barefoot Waterski Comp BWClub OKARO
28 - 30 March 2020
Event / Who
Barefoot Waterski Competition, Barefoot Water Ski Club
Time/Closure/Usage
Details TBA / Lake Closure
Description
TBA
Provisional Booking
There are no health warnings.
5-6 Feb 2020 Kiwanis OWS ROTOMA
5 -6 February 2020
Event / Who
Open Water Swim / Kiwanis
Time/Closure/Usage
1700 hours Wed 5 Feb - 1600 hours Thurs 6 Feb
Public Notice with all details (PDF, 429kb)
Description
Water Ski Access Lane and Water Craft Area CLOSED TO PUBLIC during the above
Matahi Spit Boat Ramp REMAINS OPEN during the above
Confirmed Booking
7-8 March 2020 Jet Ski Racing ROTOMA
7 - 8 March 2020
Event / Who
Lake Rotoma Summer Series Jetski Racing / Jet Ski Racing NZ
Time/Closure/Usage
1200 hours Sat 7 Mar - 1630 hours Sun 8 Mar / Partial Lake Closure
Public Notice with all details (PDF, 558kb)
Special Notes
Water Ski Access Lane and Water Craft Area CLOSED TO PUBLIC during the above
Matahi Spit Boat Ramp REMAINS OPEN during the above
Confirmed Booking
13 March 2020 Whakatane Intermediate School OWS ROTOMA
13 March 2020
Event / Who
BOP/Poverty Bay Intermediate School 2km Open Water Swim
Whakatane Intermediate School
Time/Closure/Usage
Friday 13 March 0730 hours - 1330 hours / Lake Usage
Description
NOT A CLOSURE - LAKE USAGE ONLY
Confirmed Booking
There are no health warnings.
29 Feb 2020 Lakeside Concert Fireworks ROTORUA LAKEFRONT
Saturday 29 February 2020
Event / Who
Lakeside Concert Firework s Display / Van Tiel Pyrotechnics
Time/Closure/Usage
10pm - 1030pm / Partial Lake Closure
Description
Based at Lakefront, Lake Rotorua
Details in Public Notice here (pdf 857Kb)
Confirmed Booking
21-22 March 2020 Waterski Racing NZWSRA ROTORUA
Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 March 2020
Event / Who
Waterski Racing / NZWSRA (NZ Waterski Racing Assn)
Time/Closure/Usage
0700 hrs Sat - 1700 hrs Sun / Lake Closure
Description
Based at Sulphur Point, Lake Rotorua
Confirmed Booking
There are no health warnings.
14-16 Feb 2020 Lakeland PowerBoat Racing TIKITAPU * CANCELLED *
Friday 14 - Sunday 16 February 2020
Event / Who
Powerboat Racing / Lakeland Powerboat Club
* THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED *
18 Feb 2020 RIS TIKITAPU
Tuesday 18 February 2020
Event / Who
Pukaki Team School Trip / Rotorua Intermediate School
Time/Closure/Usage
0900 hrs - 1430 hrs / Lake Usage - NO CLOSURE
Confirmed Booking
22-23 Feb 2020 NZWSRA TIKITAPU
Saturday 22 February 2020
Event / Who
Bryce Newton 100 Miler Waterski event / NZWSRA (NZ Waterski Racing Assn)
Time/Closure/Usage
0700 - 1800 hours / Lake Closure
Description
TBC
Provisional Booking
20-22 Mar 2020 Legend of the Lake TIKITAPU * CANCELLED *
Friday 20 - Sunday 22 March 2020
Event / Who
Legend of the Lake / Quantum Events
* DUE TO COVID-19 THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED *
Time/Closure/Usage
Times TBC / Lake Closure
Description
30 Mar-3 Apr 2020 National Schools Waka Ama TIKITAPU * CANCELLED
30 March - 3 April 2020
Event / Who
National Secondary Schools Waka Ama Championships 2020 / Waka Ama NZ
* DUE TO COVID-19 THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED *
Time/Closure/Usage
Lake Closure
4 April 2020 Multisport XTERRA TIKITAPU * CANCELLED *
3 - 4 April 2020
Event / Who
Multisport Off-road Triathlon XTERRA / First Tier Sports Productions
* DUE TO COVID-19 THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED *
Time/Closure/Usage
Fri 3 - Sat 4 April / Lake Closure
Fri 3 April - Set up 0800 - 1600 hours
Sat 4 April - Event 1000 - 1245 hours
- Pack Down 1300 - 1400 hours
Description
There are no health warnings.
