Regional parks events
The 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 notice page.
Events
New Zealand Defence Force will undertake training in the area across the 10 days. The area remains open to the public. Any queries contact duty.ranger@ecan.govt.nz.
Join a host of community groups led by the Waimakariri Youth Council as they carry out a spring clean-up along the north bank of the Ashley/Rakahuri River. Meet at the Ashley Village entry to the regional park, on the corner of Lower Sefton Road and High St, Ashley. Registration link to come. Event runs 10am to 1pm.
Mountain bike relay event for years 5-6 and 7-8 over two days.
For more information visit the Huxster website.
Experience the Rakahuri trails while raising funds for a great cause! The event runs on the tracks at the eastern end of the Rakahuri trail from 9am to 1pm. Visit the North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust website for more information.
This popular corporate and social mountain bike event runs from 10am on the Coringa loop, which will be closed to the public. For more details visit Muddy Gumboot Events.
A private recreation run event will be happening in the park between 8am and 5pm.
The Tekapo10 is a cross country mountain bike relay race where teams complete as many laps of the 7km course as possible between 10am and 8pm, on 4WD tracks and single track. Maximum team size is five for the 10hr race, with a solo option available. This is a fundraiser for Mackenzie College.
For more details or to register a team see the Facebook event.
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 can be anything from commercial events, and motorsport to large mountain bike, kayak or dog races. These events are categorised as major as they impact other recreational users within the park due to road/park closures.
Minor events have fewer participants, such as group picnics or not-for-profit fundraisers.
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 6–12 months' notice.
- There is a $74.74 booking fee for all events. For all commercial/corporate events, additional fees apply.
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 at 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 McIntoshes) and Lake Tekapo 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.