Events on waterways

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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)
21 - 22 September 2024 NZ Masters Rowing Championships 7.00am to 6.00pm 3, 4, 5
28 - 29 September 2024 2024 North Island Interprovincial Championships 7.00am to 6.00pm (28th) and 7.00am to 1.00pm (29th) 3 4, 5, 6,
2 November 2024 Clive Steenson Memorial Rowing Regatta 7.00am to 5.30pm 4, 5, 6
15 - 17 November 2024 KRI Memorial Rowing Regatta 6.00am to 6.00pm except 15th which is 1.00pm to 6.00pm zones 3 & 6 only 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
21 September 2024 7.00am to 5.00pm Lake Hop 2024 Lake  Maraetai
21 September 2024 7.00am to 6.00pm Mercer River Race (NZ Water Ski Racing Association) Waikato River (Mercer Ferry Rd Bridge to The Elbow)
5 - 6 October 2024  7.00am to 5.00pm Mangakino Series 1 & 2 Lake Maraetai
19 October 2024 7.00am to 6.00pm NZ Water Ski Racing Association 3 Lake Arapuni
2 November 2024 7.00am to 7.00pm The Wakening (Wake NZ) Lake Arapuni
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)
20 October 2024 9.00am to 1.00pm Bridge to Bridge Practice Day Waikato River (Cambridge to Hamilton)
8 - 10 November 2024 9.00am to 5.00pm Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic Waikato River (Cambridge to Taupiri)