Parks events draw more than 9000 visitors in 2024
The wide open spaces, tracks and trails in Canterbury’s three regional parks attract hundreds of visitors each week.
In addition to our thousands of regular visitors, more than 9000 people attended over 60 events in the regional parks during 2024.
We led 20 events in the parks this year and more than 40 hosted by other groups and organisations. We counted a total of 9,444 participants across all the year's events.
2024 event highlights
Waimakariri River Regional Park
The largest of the three regional parks hosted a diverse range of events this year, including a 'reverse ride', a drive-in movie, school and community planting days and rubbish pick-ups, a church picnic, a wedding, horse riding events, and races of many stripes – running, cycling, kayaking, and trail biking.
Find out more about the recreational spaces in Waimakariri River Regional Park, including the new mini road system at McLeans Forest.
Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park
The most popular event in Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park, Rangiora this year was the Rakahuri Bike Blast, an event organised by Sefton School with support from the North Canterbury Cycling Club.
Find out more about the recreational spaces in Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park, including an exercise trail and areas for fishing, swimming, gamebird hunting, walking, cycling and picnicking.
Takapō Regional Park
Our southernmost regional park in scenic Lake Tekapo hosted cycling and running races this year, as well as many stargazing groups.
Find out more about what’s on offer in Takapō Regional Park, including walking and mountain biking trails, two disc golf courses, and a fenced dog park area.
Upcoming drive-in movies in Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park
Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park will host two drive-in movies on Saturday 18 January 2025.
A ticket to one of the movies could be an excellent Christmas gift for the movie lover in your life.
- The 2pm movie is the 'Minions: The Rise of Gru'
- The 6pm movie is the 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'
Tickets for each movie cost $20 per car or $5 per pedestrian. There will be no door sales.
Stay up to date with regional parks events
To find out about events happening in the regional parks, sign up to our parks events mailing list or visit our events webpage, our notices page or the Regional Parks Facebook page.
Host an event in the regional parks
To book your own event in one of the regional parks, start by filling out our Parks events form. Please note we may require 6-12 months’ notice for major events.
Purpose of the regional parks
The three regional parks in Waitaha/ Canterbury were originally created for flood protection and soil conservation purposes. Over time, they have all become important destinations for all sorts of active recreation.
Visit the parks this summer
Why not explore your regional parks this summer and find a new favourite picnic spot or walking track? Remember to protect our rare ground-nesting birds by staying away from riverbed areas during nesting season, which lasts until 1 February.
Our hard-working rangers will be out and about patrolling the regional parks and Northern Pegasus Bay over the summer. If you spot hazards or damage in the parks, please email duty.ranger@ecan.govt.nz or log a Snap Send Solve from your cellphone.