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Events on waterways

If you're wanting to organise a race, speed trial, competition or any other organised recreational activity on a waterway in the Waikato region, you will first need to apply for permission from Waikato Regional Council. This permission is to:

  • temporarily suspend restrictions under the Navigation Safety Bylaw, and
  • reserve an area for the purpose of that activity.

Apply to conduct a temporary maritime event

Note: Any event at Lake Karāpiro cannot be applied for online. Please use the 'Temporary maritime event - Lake Karāpiro' PDF form.

  • To apply online, you'll need a RealMe® account.  If you don't have an account already, you'll need to create one. Once you have logged in you will be redirected back to the Waikato Regional Council website to begin your application. You will be asked to verify your email address as part of Waikato Regional Council's Privacy Policy. Go to our online portal to login and/or set up your RealMe® account.
  • If you wish or need to use a PDF form, please download and save it first before you start entering information. If you start editing in the original version on this webpage, your changes won't save. 

Here's some help with your application

Calendar of events

The calendar below lists current and upcoming events on our region's waterways that have been authorised by Waikato Regional Council.

You should also check out the full list of Lake Karāpiro events (as approved by the Lake Karāpiro Users Group), as events listed there might not yet have been issued with a temporary event authorisation from Waikato Regional Council.


LAKE KARĀPIRO
Date Event Time Zone(s)
15 - 17 November 2024 KRI Memorial Rowing Regatta 6.00am to 6.00pm except 15th which is 10.00am to 6.00pm  3, 4, 5, 6
29 - 1 December 2024 2024 KRI Club Regatta

10.00am to 5.00pm (29th only)

6.00am to 6.00pm (30th & 1st)

3 (30th & 1st only)

4, 5, 6 - all days

7 - 8 December 2024 Te Puku O te Ika Waka Ama 7.00am to 5.00pm 4
12 - 15 December 2024 KRI Christmas Rowing Regatta

10.00am to 5.00pm (12th only)

6.00am to 6.00pm

3, 4, 5, 6
OTHER WATERWAYS
Date Time Event Location
30 June 2022 to 30 June 2028 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday Bylaw Exemption for DoC for 2.5.1 c) speed in proximity to shore Whangamarino River Wetlands area and Maramarua River Wetlands Area 
1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028 Daylight Hours Bylaw Exemption for Camjet (2011) 2.5.1 a) (Camjet Vessels only), c) and d) Waikato River between Shakespeare Street Bridge in Cambridge and 50 metres downstream of the  Karapiro Hydro Dam Structure and between Victoria Street Bridge in Cambrdige and a point opposite Banks Road in Cambridge
1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028 Daylight Hours Bylaw Exemption for Huka Jet - 2.5.1 c) and 2.5.1 d) Lake Aratiatia Waikato River
1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028 Daylight Hours Bylaw Exemption for Freedom Adventures - 2.4.1 c) and 2.4.3 Mercury Bay specific areas
10 November 2024 to 30 June 2028 Daylight Hours Bylaw Exemption for Whitianga Volunteer Coastguard during emergency deployment for 2.4.1 and 2.5.1 for everything except b) Whitianga River, Whitianga
29 November to 1st December 2024 8.00am to 5.00pm Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder NZ Series 2024-2025 Lake Maraetai
7 December 2024 7.00am to 5.00pm Twin Rivers 2024 (NZ Water Ski Racing Association) Piako River, Firth of Thames and Waihou River (Ngatea to Paeroa)
23 - 24 November 2024

Midday to 4.30pm (Saturday)

8.00am to 4.30pm (Sunday)

 

Round 1 Jet Ski Racing Series 24/25 Lake Waahi
23 November 2024 7.00am to 5.00pm Mangakino Series 4 (NZ Water Ski Racing Assn) Lake Maraetai
7 December 2024 6.00am to 5.00pm Mercer Rowing Club Annual Regatta Waikato River (2km either side of Mercer Bridge)
14 -15 December 2024 7.00am to 8.00pm Bay of Plenty Tricks (BOP Regional Water Ski Assn) Lake Ohakuri (Whirinaki Arm)
31 December  - 1st January 2025 8.00am to 10am on the 1st January Pauanui / Tairua New Years Eve Fireworks Display Tairua Harbour