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
17 January 2026 | Krayzie Chicks Frontyard Ultra | Waimakariri River Regional Park
Join the team from Krayzie Kapers on the banks of the Waimakariri River, for further details visit: Krayzie Kapers Trail Running Events
7 February 2026 | Saucy Jane Historic Weekend | Jet Boat ramp, Kaiapoi Island, WRRP
Jet Boat NZ are running some events across the weekend including this car boot sale at the jet boat ramp and on the adjacent grassed area between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 7 February. For more details visit: Jet Boat NZ Website
1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026 | Zen Stargazing | Takapō Regional Park
Zean Stargazing will be operating out of the Homestead Carpark at times during spring and summer, for further details on these tours visit: Zen Stargazing
1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 | Stargazing | Takapō Regional Park
Experience the breathtaking southern night sky in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The tours operate in the park alongside Lake Tekapo. For further details visit: Home - Astro Tekapo
9 August 2026 | Waimakariri Off Road Clean-up | Harrs Road, Waimakariri River Regional Park
Join the ranger team on site at Harrs Road and help us to clean up the Waimakariri river banks. The event will start at 9.30am and will culminate in a BBQ at 12.30pm. We will have event skips on site for rubbish to be dropped into and are keen for confident 4WD enthusiasts (with trailers) to join us. We will also have some areas able to be cleaned up by volunteers who prefer to work on foot. Register here
19 September 2026 | Merrell Race Tekapo | Takapō Regional Park
Merrell Race Tekapo is an exciting destination race located in the heart of Lake Tekapo, where you can indulge in stunning lake and mountain views, relax and soak in local hot pools, play up the snowy mountains and be blown away by the serenity of the International Dark Sky Reserve.
With seven race distances to choose from there is something for every trail lover. Choose a distance and course that suits your goals and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere on the day. All finishers will be presented with a beautiful medal and get to enjoy the warm #legendarymackenzie hospitality!
For more information visit: Race Tekapo 2026
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 venue (such as a marquee or stage), 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 Park Rangers.
Booking the area is your first step. Contact us and ask for the regional park ranger in the events team.
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 booking fee for all events.
- Any event submitted less than a month from the event date may attract a late fee of $74.74.
- All commercial/corporate events, where participants are charged an entry fee will attract a charge of $2.30 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.
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 Ranger 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, special liquor licenses may be required. They 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, and McIntoshs) 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.