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 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.
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.
2025 MAR 8- Wander Women Adventure Race, Soaked in Adventure
EVENT: Wander Women Adventure Race
WHO: Soaked in Adventure
This is a land based event involving treking and mountain biking, however,
one part of the race involves walking out to a buoy in Ngongoahi Bay to
collect a checkpoint. This lake usage is for that particular part of the event.
WHERE: Ngongoahi Bay, Lake Rotoiti
DATE: 8 March 2025
Lake usage ONLY. NO LAKE CLOSURE REQUIRED
CONFIRMED BOOKING
2025 MAR 16- Rotoma No.1 Incorporation Whanau Day with WaterPark
EVENT: Water Park
WHO: Rotoma No.1 Incorporation Whanau Day
TIMEFRAME: Sun 16 March, 6am - 5pm (This includes set up and pack down).
WHERE: Koro Ki Te Wao Bay, Lake Rotoiti
This is a Whanau Day incorporating the Waterworld Waterpark (scaled down version) as part of its activities.
The area around the waterpark will be closed off to the public for the duration of the waterpark being in place.
Map showing where the actual Waterpark position (jpeg 192kb) The exclusion zone (closure area) will be approximately 200m beyond the WaterPark perimeter.
CONFIRMED BOOKING
There are no health warnings.
2025 MAR 20-28. TWPT Secondary Schools Waka Ama Nationals
FRI 21 - FRI 28 March 2025
Event / Who
Te Waiariki Purea Trust, Secondary Schools Waka Ama Nationals 2025
Lake Closure
Fri 21 0800 hrs - Fri 28 1900 hrs
These times include event course Set up and Pack down
Areas Closed / Open
CLOSED
The Main body of the lake and the North Western Passive Area will be CLOSED
The Water Ski / Slalom areas are CLOSED however the South Eastern Slalom Course can be used for passive use only.
OPEN
The North Eastern Passive Area, South Eastern, and South Western Passive Areas remain OPEN TO PUBLIC.
Map showing open and closed areas of the lake. (jpeg 280kb)
NOTE - the open areas are FOR PASSIVE USE ONLY
CONFIRMED BOOKING
2025 MAR 28-29. OCEAN SWIM Legend of the Lake
SAT 29 March 2025
Event / Who
Legend of The Lake Swim / The Event Crew
Lake Closure
Fri 28 March 2025 (Set up all day)
Sat 29 March 2025. 0900 - 1900 hrs (includes pack down)
Areas Closed / Open
CLOSED
The entire lake apart from the North Eastern Passive Area will be CLOSED.
OPEN
The North Eastern Passive Area remains OPEN TO PUBLIC for PASSIVE USE ONLY.
Map 1 of the different courses AND Map 2 showing CLOSED and OPEN areas of the lake. (jpeg 280kb)
CONFIRMED BOOKING
2025 APR 5 BAREFOOT WATERSPORTS - XTERRA
Sat 05 April 2025
Event/Who:
XTERRA (off road Triathlon) - Barefoot Sport NZ Ltd
Time / Closure Details
0645 - 1300 hours Sat
Areas Remaining Open (for passive use ONLY)
South Western, North Eastern, and South Eastern Passive areas
Map showing Closed and Open Areas (JPG 2Mb)
CONFIRMED BOOKING
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
2025 DEC 6-7. CRNZ Tikitapu 1 Regatta
Sat-Sun 6-7 December 2025
Event / Who
Tikitapu 1 Regatta / Canoe Racing NZ
FURTHER DETAILS TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
2025 DEC 13. Rotorua 2025 Half Ironman
Sat 13 December 2025
Event / Who
Half Ironman - Swim Section / Rotorua. Suffer. (Shane Hooks)
FURTHER DETAILS TBC
PROVISIONAL BOOKING
There are no health warnings.
