Lake Events and Closures

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.

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

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

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

Saturday 11- Sunday 12 January 2025

Event / Who
Development Event / NZ Water Ski Racing Assn

Area of closure
Matahi. Map below shows course.

Link to Course Map, (pdf, 86kb)

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
 

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

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

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

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

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

Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 January 2025

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

Details / Timeframe

SATURDAY

Partial Lake Closure - 7am - 2pm
Northern, and North Western Passive Area.
AQUATHON / KIDS TRI.

Full Closure - 2pm - 4.30pm
Full body of lake.
OPEN WATER SWIMS 2km & 750m.

From 4.30pm the lake will be available to all lake users.

SUNDAY

Full Closure - 7am - 10.30am
Full Body of Lake, and North Western Passive Area.
SPRINT TRI / TASTER TRI.

From 10.30am the lake will be available to all lake users.

Course Maps of all events (pdf, 375kb)

CONFIRMED  BOOKING

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 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

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

DETAILS TBC

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

PROVISIONAL  BOOKING

DETAILS TBC

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

Sat-Sun 6-7 December 2025

Event / Who  
Tikitapu 2 Regatta / Canoe Racing NZ

FURTHER DETAILS TBC

PROVISIONAL BOOKING

Sat 13 December 2025

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

FURTHER DETAILS TBC

PROVISIONAL BOOKING