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.

JAN 14- Dr Ron Caughey Memorial Yacht Race LAKE USAGE ONLY

1 January 2025
Saving day- 2 January 2025

EVENT
Lake Okareka 50th Annual New Years Day Dr Ron Caughey Memorial Yacht Race
Community event for Okareka locals

LAKE USAGE ONLY.  No Closure Required 
1300-1700 hours
Event starting and finishing at Boyes Beach.
Moving round Lake Okareka.
15-18 sailing participants


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.

Nov 2 - Rotohoe Waka Ama - Ruamata Waka Ama Club

Ruamata Waka Ama Club - Rotohoe 1 

This replaces the last substitute date (Sept 28) 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

 

DEC 31 2024 P Johnston NYrs Fireworks Display

31 December 2024

Event / Who

Fireworks Display, P. Johnston
 

Time / Closure Details

Set up  1600-2000 hours

Actual Display Event  2130 hours

Pack Down 2200 - 2300 hours


Link to maps of exclusion zone (closed area)

Tarawera Fireworks Display maps (jpeg 1.1MB)

 

CONFIRMED BOOKING

There are no health warnings.

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

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

DEC 14- Telfers-Waverunner Demo Day LAKE USAGE ONLY

Saturday 14 December 2024

Event/Who
Waverunner Demo Day / Telfers Marine

Lake Usage ONLY - NO CLOSURE.
Main Body of Lake

Times

9am - 2pm

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

DEC 21- Rotorua. Suffer. Half Ironman Swim

Sat 21 December 2025

Event / Who  
Half Ironman - Swim Section / Rotorua. Suffer. (Shane Hooks)
 

Partial Lake Closure  
North Western passive area 

Friday 1300-1500 hrs SET UP
Saturday 0515-0730 hrs
 SWIM

Map showing Swim Course (PNG 739KB)

CONFIRMED   BOOKING

2025 JAN 3-12 Waterworld Inflatable Floating WaterPark

3 - 12 January 2025 

Event / Who:   
Waterworld Inflatable Floating Waterpark / Waterworld Ltd

Times
Jan 3       Set up initially then WaterPark open from 9-10am
Jan 4-12  WaterPark open 8am - 7pm everyday

Partial Lake Closure
North Western passive area

Map showing the waterworld park layout and position (JPEG 98Kb)
 

COMFIRMED   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

Lake Closure
Friday 0800 hrs - Sunday 2000 hrs

Event Timeframe
Friday
Set up Day
starting 0800

Saturday and Sunday
Event
 0730-1600 hrs

Sunday
Pack Down
1600-1900 hrs

Areas Closed / Open
Map showing both closed and open areas of the lake (JPEG 350Kb)

 

CONFIRMED  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
Click here to view full test analysis