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.
Events
10 April, 17 April, 24 April, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May 2024 | Muddy Gumboots Night Racing Series | McLeans Island, WRRP
Mountain bike racing event on the McLeans Island Forest on the Coringa Loop mountain bike track. The series takes place on Wednesday evenings race start time 7pm. During this time the Coringa Loop will be closed.
30 April 2024 | Project K Cycle Ride | Waimakariri Gorge to the Willows
A small cycling group will be travelling on the south bank of the Waimakariri River from the Gorge Bridge through to the Willows. For further detail please visit the Project K webpage.
5 May 2024 | National Round Mainland Challenge | Weedons Forest
The Canterbury Off Road Club are hosting South Island National Rounds 1 and 2. On Sunday 5 May the Weedons Forest and berm will be closed to all traffic along with Weedons Ross Road. There will be no access to the park from this road and no access to the trail bike Hub for the day.
5 May 2024 | Top Sport Kayak Pro Am Winter Series Event 1 | Bailes Island, Waimakariri River Regional Park
The team from Top Sport Kayaking are hosting a series of training races on the lower Waimakariri River. Event one begins at Bailes Island Picnic area and finishes on the Kaiapoi River.
9 June 2024 | Top Sport Kayak Pro Am Winter Series Event 2 | Miners Bank Rd, Waimakariri River Regional Park
The team from Top Sport Kayaking are hosting a series of training races on the lower Waimakariri River. Event two begins at Miners Bank Rd and finishes below the SH1 bridges.
7 July 2024 | Top Sport Kayak Pro Am Winter Series Event 3 | Miners Bank Rd, Waimakariri River Regional Park
The team from Top Sport Kayaking are hosting a series of training races on the lower Waimakariri River. Event three begins at Miners Bank Rd and finishes below the SH1 bridges.
24 August 2024 | Canterbury Adventure Race | South bank Waimakariri River
An orienteering-style adventure race where teams of up to 4 people bike and run/walk over a set course, using their map-reading skills to find a series of checkpoints. For details visit the Crazy Kea Events website.
21 September 2024 | Race Tekapo | Takapō Regional Park
This is an exciting destination race located in the heart of Lake Tekapo. With 7 race distances to choose from there is something for every trail lover. Find out more about this 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.