Boating events, reservations and notices
Here you'll find current information about upcoming boating events in the Canterbury region.
If you're planning an event out on the water, please complete the reservation form. The form must be submitted at least 20 working days prior to the date of the proposed variation.
If you have any questions please contact us at harbourmaster@ecan.govt.nz.
Upcoming events
Power boat racing, Wairewa Lake Forsyth
December 2025
- Sunday 7, 7am - 5pm
February 2026
- Sunday 15, 7am - 5pm
March 2026
- Sunday 22, 7am - 5pm
April 2026
- Sunday 19, 7am - 5pm
May 2026
- Sunday 3, 7am - 5pm
- Sunday 17, 7am - 5pm
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
South Island Rowing Regatta, Lake Ruataniwha
December 2025
- Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 - Meridian Otago Championships
January/February 2026
- Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 - Meridian Canterbury Championships
- Saturday 31 and Sunday 1 - Meridian South Island Championships
March 2026
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 - Meridian South Island Secondary School Championships
- Saturday 21 and Saturday 28 - NZ Secondary Schools Championships
- Sunday 29 - NZ Secondary Schools Championships Spare Day
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Hydroplane Drivers Club, Lake Ruataniwha
This event will take place from 6am to 7pm on Friday 9, Saturday 10, and Sunday 11 January 2026 at Lake Ruataniwha.
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Canterbury Triathlon Club, Cass Bay
This event will take place from 7am - 8:30am on Saturday 1 February at Cass Bay with Corsair Bay as backup.
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Little Rakaia Boating Club, Rakaia River Lagoon, Rakaia Huts North
This event will take place from 6am Friday 23 January to 6pm on Sunday 25 January 2026 at Rakaia River Lagoon, Rakaia Huts North. No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Coast to Coast event, Waimakariri River
This event will take place from 12:01am until 11:59pm on Saturday 14 February on part of the Waimakariri River.
Plan A – All of the Waimakariri River from 100m upstream of the Mount White Bridge to 100m downstream of Gorge Bridge.
Plan B (backup) – All of the Waimakariri River from 100m Upstream of Thompsons Road to 100m downstream of SH1 Bridges.
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Wakeboarding New Zealand, Lake Ruataniwha
This event will take place from 12pm Friday 23 January to 6pm on Saturday 24 January 2026 at Lake Ruataniwha. No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Aoraki Dragons Boat Association, Lake Ruataniwha
This rowing event will take place from 6am - 6pm on Saturday 14 February at Lake Ruataniwha.
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Canterbury Triathlon Club, Scarborough
This event will take place from 8am - 9am on Sunday 15 March at Scarborough.
No vessel can navigate within the Reserved Area during this time.
Temporary boating notices
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.
To apply for a temporary reservation or exemption for your event, fill out the application form.
View temporary boating notices
- Arawa Canoe Club kayaking - Waimakariri River from Mount White Bridge to the Gorge Bridge near Sheffield - 14 December 2025 (PDF file, 254KB)
- Canterbury Triathlon Club - Lake Rua - 7am to 11am 14 December 2025 (PDF file, 359KB)
- Hydroplane Drivers Club - Lake Ruataniwha - 6am to 7pm 9 - 11 January 2026 (PDF file, 370KB)
- Wakeboarding NZ - Lake Ruatniwha - 23 January 2026 (PDF file, 258.25KB)
- Little Rakaia Boat Club - Rakaia Huts North - 23 January 2026 (PDF file, 325.06KB)
- Canterbury Triathlon Club - Cass Bay with Corsair Bay as backup - 7am to 8:30am 1 February 2026 (PDF file, 359KB)
- Aoraki Dragons rowing event - Lake Ruataniwha - 14 February 2026 (PDF file, 256.3KB)
- Power boat racing - Wairewa/Lake Forsyth - 2025/26 season (PDF file, 262.2KB)
- Coast to Coast - Waimakariri River - 14 February 2026, 12:01am to 11:59pm (PDF file, 491.3KB)
- Canterbury Triathlon Club - Scarborough Beach - 8am to 9am 15 March 2026 (PDF file, 359KB)
Harbourmaster's approvals and directions
Approvals or exemptions are issued to organisations by the Harbourmaster, pursuant to the Canterbury Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2016.
To apply for a Harbourmaster approval, fill out the application form.
View Harbourmaster's approvals and directions
- 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 (PDF file, 178.55KB)
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Lake Tekapo Powerboat and Water Ski Club Inc (PDF file, 71.86KB)
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Jet Boating NZ; Yachting NZ; Little Rakaia Boating Club (PDF file, 354.21KB)
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Surf Life Saving NZ (PDF file, 353.16KB)
- Harbourmaster's Approval for use of existing vessel ID system - Surf Life Saving New Zealand (PDF file, 420.83KB)