Water skiing on Lake Karapiro.
Karāpiro Water Ski Club members fear a proposed plan for the lake domain could be bad news for their club.
Lake Karāpiro water ski clubs took to the water to show some of their tricks.
One of the plan’s desired outcomes is to create a premiere, adaptable event and tourism destination by continuing to develop the domain as a world-class event and training venue for primarily non-motorised aquatic sport.
The club is concerned with the use of the words “primarily non-motorised”.
“That would have a devastating effect on the sport that we love,” said Karāpiro Water Ski Club member Les Atkinson.
He is one of nearly 300 youth and adult members of the growing club, which has existed for decades.
The club’s ground lease for a clubhouse at the northern end of the lake expires in 2030 with a 33 year right of renewal. However, the plan proposes the council work with the club for a new multi-purpose building on the site.
Brooklyn Water Ski Club’s clubhouse as it was on its last day before the deck was taken down later.
Brooklyn Ski Club, which met at Taumatawiiwii Reserve for 60 years, lost its lease to Karāpiro Waka Ama last year and many members have joined the Karāpiro club.
Atkinson, who managed the New Zealand Water Ski Team that won a silver medal at the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Asian Australasian Championships in 2010, said the area was already busy with club members.
He was worried about the impact of encouraging more lake users into the area.
“It’s already congested at weekends,” he said.
In 2024 and 2025 approximately 250 events were held in the Sir Don Rowlands Centre and there were another 37 on the wider domain.
A national Water Ski School is planned in the area in December,
Atkinson is planning to make a submission council asking it to continue to welcome boaties of all types.
“Karāpiro is the water sports mecca of the North Island and people travel from out of town to come and use this facility,” he said.
Atkinson said he was also considering getting in touch with Waikato Regional Council, which has regulatory oversight of the lake.
“You currently have to cross Zone 3, zoned for water skiing, to get to Zone 2, a five-knot zone, and subsequently access Zone 1, zoned for water skiing, where you operate without inconveniencing other water sports on the lake,” he said.
“We do need to retain water ski zones on the lake and, in the interests of safety, zones for other craft that require greater open spaces need to be considered.
“I don’t see why that should be so hard,” he said.
Keeley’s Reserve at Lake Karapiro
Club president Tim Barns-Lawton said he had received feedback from one club member who had found the online form “tedious and annoying” to fill in.
“If you don’t agree with anything you have to give a reason for every answer, which is basically the same question worded slightly different,” said member Jono Lilburn.
“You can’t just disagree with what they want to do.”
The plan seeks to strengthen mana whenua partnerships, increase mana whenua connections and enhance environmental stewardship.
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Waikato Tainui and Raukawa hold customary rights and interests in the land.
The draft plan was shaped by 27 responses collected by the council last year. It will be funded through the district and regional council’s long term and annual plans. Submissions are open until January 20, 2026.
Lake Karapiro
Water skiing on Lake Karapiro
