Lake Events and Closures

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.

 

Maps: Lake Ōkāreka​Lake RotoruaBeaumont RoadRotorua LakefrontHannahs BayHamuranaLake Rotomā​HamuranaMatahi SpitLake RotoitiLake RotoehuBlue Lake / TikitapuLake Ōkataina​ and Lake Tarawera.

Lake Ōkataina - Open with special controls in place

Important Notice from Ngāti Tarāwhai Iwi Trust: Protecting Lake Ōkataina from Invasive Species

To safeguard Lake Ōkataina from the invasive Corbicula Fluminea (Asian clam), it is mandatory for all boats to provide proof that they have been washed at the Te Ngae wash station prior to entering the lake. Proof of wash must be presented via the QR code issued at the wash station. Please note, we will be checking that you have proof of your wash upon arrival.

 

Lake Access Schedule:

  • Monday, 30 September: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday, 1 October: 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday, 2 October: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday, 3 October: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday, 4 October to Sun 6 October: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • 7 October onwards:
    • Monday - Thursday 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
    • Friday to Sunday: 5:00 AM - 8:00 PM

 

Statement issued by Ngāti Tarāwhai Iwi Trust and supported by Ministry of Primary Industries, Fish & Game, Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

There are no health warnings.

SEPT 28- CRNZ- Krazy Kayaks 10k Champs LAKE USAGE ONLY

Saturday 28 September 2024

Event/Who
Kayak Krazy 10k Champs / Canoe Racing NZ Inc.

Lake Usage ONLY - NO CLOSURE.
Start/Finish point is Boyes Beach.

Course Map (pdf 869Kb)

Times
11am - 2pm

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

There are no health warnings.

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

2025 JAN 11-12 NZWSRA Development Event

Saturday 11- Sunday 12 January 2025

Event / Who
Development Event / NZ Water Ski Racing Assn

Area of closure
Matahi Spit
Detail TBC

 

Timetable
Sat 11 Jan 0730 - 0830 hours SET UP
Sat 11 Jan 0830 - 1700 hours EVENT
Sun 12 Jan  0830 - 1600 hours EVENT
Sun 12 Jan  1600 - 1700 hours PACK DOWN

 

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

There are no health warnings.

Sept 28- Rotohoe Waka Ama - Ruamata Waka Ama Club

Ruamata Waka Ama Club - Rotohoe 1 

This replaces the original date (April) which was cancelled due to weather.

Reeme Street Reserve, Ngongotaha

Lake usage ONLY.     NO LAKE CLOSURE REQUIRED

0630 - 1700 hours 

Course map 500m (76KB) jpg
Course map 1500m (72KB) jpg
Course map 10km (97KB) jpg

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

There is currently a health warning.

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

NOV 2- BOP Rowing Assn- Rowing Regatta 1000m

Saturday 2 November 2024

Event / Who
Rowing Regatta Rotorua 1000m, Bay of Plenty Rowing

Lake Closure
Main body of lake will be closed.
Boat ramp will be inaccessible.

Times
0800 - 1700 hours

Map showing both open and closed areas as defined below, (pdf, 210kb)

OPEN AREAS
North Eastern Passive Area
South Passive Area

CLOSED AREAS
North Western Passive Area
Main body of lake
South Western Passive Area
Both Southern Ski Areas
South Passive Area

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

NOV 30-DEC 1- CRNZ Tikitapu 1 Canoe Sprint Regatta

Friday 29 November - Sunday 01 December 2024

Event / Who  
Tikitapu 1 Canoe 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

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

DEC 20-21-Brand New Day Ltd Half Ironman

PROVISIONAL BOOKING

DETAILS TBC

2025 JAN 3-12 Waterworld Inflatable Floating WaterPark

3 - 12 January 2025 

Event / Who:   
Waterworld Inflatable Floating Waterpark / Waterworld Ltd

DETAILS TBC
 

PROVISIONAL   BOOKING

2025 JAN 17-19 Rotorua Rowing Club Dewar Shield Regatta

Friday 17 - Sunday 19 January 2025

Event / Who:    
Blue Lake Dewar Shield Rowing Regatta / Rotorua Rowing Club
 

DETAILS TBC


PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

2025 JAN 25-26 RATs Blue Lake Multisport Festival TBC

Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 January 2025

Event / Who
Annual Blue Lake Multisport Festival / RATs (Rotorua Assn of Triathletes)

DETAILS TBC

 

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

 

2025 FEB 7-9- CRNZ Tikitapu 2 Canoe Sprint Regatta

Friday 9 - Sunday 11 February 2025

Event / Who  
Tikitapu 2 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
 

PROVISIONAL   BOOKING

2025 FEB 19-21 TWPT Rangitahi Waka Festival

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

DETAILS TBC

2025 FEB 22- NZWSRA 100 MILER

Saturday 22 February 2025

Event / Who
100 Miler Water Ski Race, NZ Waterski Racing Assn

Lake Closure
Main body of lake will be closed.
Any Passive areas to remain open to be confirmed.

Times
0700 - 1730 hours

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

2025 MAR 22-28 TWPT Secondary Schools Waka Ama Nationals

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

DETAILS TBC

2025 APR 11-13- NZWSRA Oceania Water Ski Champs & Trans Tasman

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 April 2025

Event / Who
Oceania Waterski Racing Championships & Trans Tasman, NZ Water Ski Racing Assn

Lake Closure
Main body of lake will be closed.
Any Passive Areas remaining open TBC

Timetable
0700 - 0830 Fri 11 April SET UP
0830 - 1700 Fri 11- Sun 13 April EVENT
1600 - 1700 Sun 13 April PACK DOWN

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

There are no health warnings.
Recent Monitoring Results
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