Hazards, boating notices and events

If you're planning an event out on the water, get in touch with us at harbourmaster@ecan.govt.nz
Here you'll find current information about hazards, temporary boating notices, Harbourmaster approvals and events in the Canterbury region.
Report an incident, accident or hazard
An 'incident' may be bad behaviour on the water, an 'accident' a boat crash, and a 'hazard' a log sticking out of the water.
To report a hazard or unsafe behaviour out on the water, please get in touch with our Harbourmaster's Office:
- Fill out an online report.
- Or if urgent, call 03 328 9168.
Canterbury notices and events
These hazards are ones that are considered to be out of the ordinary for their location, rather than the kinds of things that any prudent vessel skipper or boatie would normally be looking out for. It should not be considered an exhaustive list of any and all hazards.
Railway irons in the Waiau Uwha River
Two sets of railway irons have been spotted poking out of the Waiau Uwha River, west of SH1. One set is in the middle of the river channel. The other set is on the north side of the river channel.
We will remove the railway irons as soon as possible. In the meantime, please stay alert and keep your speed low in the area.
Historic fencing may pose risk in Canterbury rivers
Rivers including the Poulter, Waiau, Waipara and Okuku may be adjacent to historic fencing that could encroach on the waterways.
River users are advised to check the area they are boating in prior to using the river. Before entering the water please ensure you are aware of any hazards and take safety precautions to avoid getting entangled.
If you come across any man-made hazards on the river, please take a photograph with details of the exact location and send it to harbourmaster@ecan.govt.nz. If you are also aware of the contact details for the adjoining landowners, please also forward this information. We can then update our hazards page so the public is aware of any action being taken to remediate the issue.
Boaties beware of submerged debris in Lake Aviemore
A sub-surface hazard approximately 4.5km upstream of SH1 Bridge has been notified by Transpower. River users are advised to navigate with extra caution in this area. Updates will be provided as the removal work progresses.
Transpower recently completed restoration work following damage to the Roxburgh to Islington transmission line, which was caused by the flooding of the Rangitata River in December 2019.
One transmission tower, Tower 771, had to be replaced in a new location. The damaged tower structure has been removed, however, due to river levels, the remains of the tower foundations have not been able to be retrieved. These are currently 1–2m below the surface.
When flow conditions are favourable, plans to remove the foundations will be put in place. The foundations are expected to be removed in early 2021.
A yellow buoy has been attached to the foundation and will be checked during regular line patrols. Coordinates of both the old tower and new tower are shown:
Various waterways in the Canterbury Region
Fluctuating water levels on various waterways, including rivers, lakes, and lagoons in Canterbury may result in fences, waratahs, or other objects being obscured from view and sitting below the surface. All water users are strongly recommended to exercise caution and keep your speed to 5 knots or less within 200 metres of the shore, unless the area is uplifted or has any other form of speed exemption. It is the responsibility of the skipper of the vessel to ensure that the area you are using is navigable and safe to transit.
Lower Clarence River / Waiau Toa - navigation safety hazards - sputniks
Sputniks are large concrete blocks with protruding steel beams that were historically used on rivers for bank protection. Many still exist on some rivers, including several in the lower Clarence / Waiau Toa, some of which are navigation safety hazards for those boating the river. For more information see the Sputniks notice (PDF 710 kB).
Brooklands Lagoon - submerged objects
Submerged and semi-submerged objects including tree stumps have been reported in the Brooklands Lagoon water ski area. Users of this area are advised to exercise caution as these objects may be difficult to see, particularly if navigating at towing speed.
Navigation Safety Alert: Jet Skis at Sumner Bay Beach
Since mid-2020, the Harbourmaster’s Office has observed numerous instances of unlawful jet ski activity within the Reserved Area of Sumner Bay.
Power-driven vessels are prohibited in the reserved area of Sumner Bay. No power boating is permitted from the beach out to 400m where the reserved area ends, unless transiting directly from or to the nearest point outside the reserved area.
The following information includes temporary regulations made under the Navigation Safety Bylaw 2016 and Controls (PDF File, 5.69MB) for specific short-term purposes, such as powerboat races or large-scale swim events. It also includes minor changes to Bylaw rules for particular areas the water user community has asked for and supports.
Temporary boating notices
- Temporary Reservation - Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour - SailGP - 17-19 March 2023 (PDF file, 571KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate SailGP high-speed trial Lyttelton Harbour 16 March 2023 (PDF file, 417.64KB)
- Temporary Reservation - The Single Fin Mingle - Sumner Beach - 31 March; 1&2 April (PDF file, 257KB)
- Temporary Exemption - Canterbury Triathlon Club - Powered vessels in Sumner - 12 March 2023 – 31 December 2024 (PDF Ffle, 161KB)
- Major Maritime Event application - Lyttelton Harbour - SailGP - 13-19 March 2023 (PDF file, 219KB)
- Temporary Reservation - Waimakariri River - 4 March 2023; Waimakariri River 17 June 2023; Rakaia River 18 June; and Waitaki River 29 July 2023 (PDF file, 159KB)
- Temporary Reservation - Little Rakaia Boating Club, Little River Huts Lagoon, Feb - March 2023 ( PDF file,366 KB)
- Temporary Reservation - Canterbury Regional Council Harbourmasters Office on behalf of SailfGP - Lyttelton Harbour - 11-22 March 2023 (PDF file, 267KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Cant Jet Sport Club Akaroa race end - 29 Aug 2020 - Annually (PDF file, 248.87KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Avon River Bylaw change to way river is used, Navigation Safety Bylaw 2016, Paul Fidow requested change through consultative process. (PDF File, 260.68KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Loch Laird, Mahi Tikumu (Lake Aviemore) from 20 November 2020 (PDF file, 295.49KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Kerrs Reach, Ōtākaro Avon River 12 December 2020 (PDF File, 1.3MB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Surf Life Saving New Zealand - 15 October 2016 (PDF File, 306.22KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Christchurch City Council - Yearly reservation 2018 (PDF File, 253.1KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - CC Avon River (PDF File, 469.08KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Lake Rua (Roto Kohatu) 29 November 2020.pdf (PDF File, 152.04KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Roto Kohatu (Lake Rua) powered safety vessel 12 and 19 December 2020 (PDF File, 159.58KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Tekapo Reservation - September 2021 (PDF File, 1.06MB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate Waitaki District Swimming Areas, Sailors Cutting and Parsons Rock - 26 December 2018 (PDF File, 191.93KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate for Access Lane - Lyttelton Inner Harbour - 08 May 2019 (PDF File, 398.1KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Surf Life Saving New Zealand (PDF File, 180.32KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Black Cat Cruises and Lyttelton Port Company (PDF File, 503.18KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Fit and Able (PDF File, 352.54KB)
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - New Brighton Power Boat Club - Power Boat Racing - Lake Forsyth/Wairewa
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Harbourmaster's Office - Speed Uplifted Zone for Lake Middleton
- Temporary Reservation Certificate - Harbourmaster's Office - Surf Lifesaving NZ
Approvals or exemptions are issued to organisations by the Harbourmaster, pursuant to the Canterbury Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2016.
- Harbourmaster's Approval - French Farm Aquatic Club December 2018 (PDF File, 615.53KB)
- Harbourmasters Approval - Canterbury Jet Sport Authorisation Identification (PDF File, 465.19KB)
- Harbourmaster’s Approval - Canterbury Water Sports Club - 5 October 2017 (PDF File, 661.32KB)
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Canterbury Outboard Boating Club
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Lake Tekapo Powerboat and Water Ski Club Inc
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Jet Boating NZ; Yachting NZ; Little Rakaia Boating Club
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Surf Life Saving NZ
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Upcoming events
- 31 March - 2 April 2023: The Single Fin Mingle, a longboard surfing competition hosted at Sumner Beach.
South Island rowing regatta dates, Lake Ruataniwha, 2022/23
2022
- 8 October: R2k Singles Regatta
- 8-9 October: Mainland Interprovincial Championships
- 29-30 October: Aoraki 1k Regatta
- 10-11 December: Meridian Otago Championships
2023
- 14-15 January: Meridian Canterbury Championships
- 28-29 January: Meridian South Island Championships
- 14-18 February: New Zealand Championships
- 19 February: NZ Championships Spare Day
- 11-12 March: Meridian South Island Secondary Schools Championships
New Brighton Power Boat Club 2022/23 season
2022
- 25 September - Opening day/training day
- 2 October - Club day
- 30 October - Club day
- 19 November - Regatta at Lake Hood
- 4 December - Club day
2023
- 22 January - Club day
- 19 February - Club day
- 26 March - Club day
- 30 April - Closing day