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.

For more information please read the Rotorua Lake Closures Guidelines 2011.

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

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

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.

No Events or Closures

 

No Events or Closures

 

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.
Recent Monitoring Results
Click here to view full test analysis