Regional parks events
Canterbury's regional parks offer endless possibilities when it comes to putting on events. There are over 250km of walking and mountain bike tracks along with large green spaces suitable for picnics and static activities.
While you will need to plan and organise the event yourself, our park rangers and staff can provide the information and advice you'll need to make it successful. All our spaces can be booked online using our online booking form.
For closures, hazards or other notices to our parks, please see our parks notices page.
Regional parks volunteer events
Help protect and restore our rivers and parks! Join us this winter for native planting events across Waitaha/Canterbury.
Every action you take supports healthier waterways, thriving ecosystems.
Sign up for one of our volunteer events
Upcoming events
7 November 2026 | 6HR Blast | McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: The 20th 6HR Blast, hosted by Muddy Gumboots. Some track closures and detours will be in place during the race
When: 7 November 2026, 10am–4pm
Where: McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
More info: Visit the Muddy Gumboots website
14 November 2026 | Tekapo 10 | Takapō Regional Park
A fun friendly MTB relay event for all abilities. For more information visit: Event page
20 November 2026 | 2026 Coast to Coast River Racing | Kaiapoi Island & Waimakariri River, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: Jet boat river racing on the Waimakariri River
When: Friday 20 November 2026, 12pm to 5pm.
Where: Kaiapoi Island jet boat ramp and the Waimakariri River between the SH1 bridges and the gorge, Waimakariri River Regional Park
More info: visit the Jet Boat River Racing website
23 November 2026 | Rakahuri Bike Blast | Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park
What: Rakahuri Bike Blast. Trails between the Groyne 1 park entrance and Groyne 2 will be closed for the event. Tracks downstream will remain open
When: 23 November 2026
Where: Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park
More info: Visit the Rakahuri Bike Blast Facebook page
6 December 2026 | Bridge to Bridge | Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: The annual Bridge to Bridge cycle ride
When: 6 December 2026
Where: Both sides of the Waimakariri River between the SH1 bridges and the Gorge Bridge, Waimakariri River Regional Park
More info: Visit the Bridge to Bridge event website
16-18 January 2027 | Krayzie Chicks Frontyard Ultra | McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: Krayzie Chicks Frontyard Ultra, an introduction to backyard ultra running for women. Runners complete a 6km lap each hour, using the remaining time to rest and refuel. The event ends when one runner completes one more lap than anyone else.
When: 16–18 January 2027.
Where: McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park.
More info: Visit the Krayzie Chicks Frontyard Ultra website to enter or find out more.
8 February 2027 | Taitonga Regional Orienteering Championship Middle Distance | Takapō Regional Park
What: Taitonga – Southern Regional Championships middle-distance orienteering event, hosted by Peninsula and Plains Orienteering. This is the third event in the series
When: Monday 8 February 2027, 8am–4pm
Where: Takapō Regional Park
More info: Visit the Taitonga – Southern Regional Championships website
21 April 2027 | Mountain Bike Orienteering | Takapō Regional Park
What: Mountain bike orienteering hosted by Peninsula and Plains Orienteering.
When: 21 April 2027, 10:30am–2:30pm.
Where: Entire Takapō Regional Park with the base at the Homestead carpark, Takapō Regional Park.
More info: visit the Peninsula & Plains Orienteering Website
23 April 2027 | Peninsula & Plains Mountain Bike Orienteering event | McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: Mountain bike orienteering hosted by Peninsula and Plains Orienteering. Some walking tracks may be closed; more details to come
When: Friday 23 April 2027
Where: McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
More info: Peninsula and Plains Orienteering website
25 April 2027 | NZ Mountain Bike Orienteering Champs | Intake Rd to Weedons Ross Rd, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: NZ Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships, hosted by Peninsula and Plains Orienteering. The Willows and Weedons Forest will be closed to the public. More details and a closure map will follow
When: Sunday 25 April 2027
Where: The Willows and Weedons Forest, between Intake Road and Weedons Ross Road, Waimakariri River Regional Park
More info: Visit the Peninsula and Plains Orienteering website
Ongoing to 30 June 2027 | Stargazing | Takapō Regional Park
What: Stargazing tours with Astro Tekapo in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
When: Ongoing until 30 June 2027
Where: Alongside Lake Tekapo, Takapō Regional Park
More info: Visit the Astro Tekapo website
4 July 2027 | McLeans Forest Run | McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park
What: McLeans Forest Run returns for its second year, with three distances for runners and walkers of all abilities. Courses follow walking tracks, gravel trails and shared walking and cycling tracks.
When: 4 July 2027.
Where: McLeans Forest, Waimakariri River Regional Park.
More info: Visit the McLeans Forest Run registration website to register or find out more.
8 August 2027 | Waimakariri Off Road Clean-up | Harrs Road, Waimakariri River Regional Park
volunteers on foot are welcome. Skips will be available for collected rubbish.
When: 8 August 2027, 9am–12pm, followed by a BBQ.
Where: Harrs Road, Waimakariri River Regional Park.
More info: Register here
18 September 2027 | Race Tekapo | Takapō Regional Park
What: Merrell Race Tekapo, with seven distances for everyone from first-time trail runners to experienced athletes. Enjoy scenic trails and views of Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains
When: 18 September 2027
Where: Takapō Regional Park
More info: Visit the Merrell Race Tekapo website to enter or find out more
26 September 2027 | World Rivers Day Planting
Details to come when finalised
Organising an event in a regional park
It is your responsibility to plan and organise the event, but our team is happy to provide information and advice.
You will need to secure the area, supply your own equipment, and comply with Environment Canterbury conditions, and any Territorial Local Authority regulations, to create a safe environment for participants.
Major and minor events
Major events are events that impact other recreational users within the park due to road/park closures. These range from motorsport to large mountain bike, kayak or running races.
Minor events have fewer participants, such as group picnics or not-for-profit fund-raisers, and don’t impact other park users.
Please review this checklist of things to consider before getting in touch with the our team.
Booking the area is your first step. Contact us and ask for the Regional Park Events Coordinator. We can hold a date for 14 days. After this, if no application form has been received, the date will be cleared.
- Please note major events require between 4–6 months notice.
- There is a $74.74 incl booking fee for all events.
- Any event submitted less than a month from the event date, or without adequate notice in the case of a major event, will attract a late fee of $74.74 incl.
- All commercial/corporate events, where participants are charged an entry fee will attract a charge of $2.30 incl per person.
- Ranger time requested for event set up is charged at $86.25 per hour.
- Exclusive use of an area is charged at $517.50 per day. This fee is applied at the discretion of Parks & Forests lead.
- For a full list of event fees and charges in effect from 1 July 2025, download and read our current Fees and Charges Schedule (PDF file, 319.61KB)
Booking an event online: You can use our online booking form to book your event.
Contact us
We want you to have a successful event and we are happy to provide advice. Please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 03 353 9007 or by email duty.ranger@ecan.govt.nz.
Event checklist
Traffic management plan – If any part of your activity uses public roads, you will be required to submit a traffic management plan. You’ll need to check requirements with the relevant city or district council and the Environment Canterbury Parks team.
Noise – Excessive noise is generally unacceptable at any time and councils have bylaws around this. If you are considering amplified sound, please touch base with the relevant city or district council.
Liquor licence – If you intend to sell or permit alcohol at your event, a special liquor license will be required. These can be obtained from the relevant city or district council, who can provide you with guidelines for host responsibility.
Public liability insurance – You will be required to obtain public liability insurance for your event, at a minimum of $2,000,000.00. Often a sponsor will provide this coverage as an extension of their existing insurance policy.
Neighbours – Do they know what’s going on? Have you invited them? Please don’t hesitate to ask the Parks team if you are unsure whether this is an issue.
Food – Who is providing this service? Do they have current licences?
Security – Do you need a police presence? Are you providing private security staff? If so, security staff must be registered.
Parking – There is limited parking available in some areas of the parks. If your event has a large number of participants attending, please talk to our team about areas that can be opened up for overflow parking. Also consider what bus routes travel to your event location.
Signage – Event signage may be permitted.
Building consents – You may need a building consent for marquees over 100sqm, staging, fencing and temporary structures such as sound towers. This can be obtained from the relevant city or district council.
Power access – McLeans Forest Oval is the only space that has existing power access.
Toilet facilities – How many will you need, and will you require disabled access? Current regional park toilet facilities include Waimakariri Regional Park (McLeans Forest, West Melton Forest, Kaiapoi Island, Ta Rauakaaka, The Willows, McIntoshs and Kirikōhatu) and Takapō Regional Park.
Rubbish and recycling – Who is cleaning up afterwards?
Health and safety – Every event organiser must be aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
You can print off this handy checklist.