Commercial operations & events

USING LAKE TAUPŌ FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, EVENTS, Filming & Photography

The permission of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is required for any commercial operation, event or filming/photography activity which takes place on “Taupo Waters”.

Taupo Waters includes the bed of Lake Taupō, the space occupied by the water of the lake, the tributaries flowing into the lake and the Waikato River from the outlet of Lake Taupō to the Rock of Tia (inclusive of the Huka Falls).

Ownership of Taupō Waters was vested in the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa under a Deed with the Crown in 2007.

Click here to read the Crown Deed.

Taupō Waters Trust

Ngāti Tūwharetoa are the iwi that hold mana whenua and exercise kaitiakitanga over Lake Taupō and parts of the broader catchment.

The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is the sole trustee of the Taupō Waters Trust and holds title to the Māori freehold land comprising the Taupō Waters.

Click here to find out more about the Taupō Waters Trust.

High Court Declaratory Judgment

On 23 July 2021 the High Court of New Zealand issued a Declaratory Judgment which confirmed the property rights of Ngāti Tūwharetoa – including the ability to require commercial users to obtain from the Trust Board, rights to occupy or use parts of the lake for commercial activities and to charge commercial uses for the same.

Click here to read the High Court’s Declaratory Judgment.

COMMERCIAL OPERATION

If you are a Commercial Operator on Taupō Waters (Lake Taupō & Tributaries), you will need to complete an Online Application Form.

Commercial Operators include: Boat Operators, Fishing Guides (lake and tributaries), Tourism Operations, Water Activities, and Aircraft. If you are unsure, please contact our Permissions Team.

If you have any queries – please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz

commercial operator – IMPORTANT DATES

To download a copy of our important dates, click here

If you have any questions, please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz.

HOLDING AN EVENT ON LAKE TAUPŌ

If you wish to run or hold an event on Taupō Waters, you will need to complete an Event Application Form.

You can download the form below, or collect one from our Tūrangi office (Town Centre, Tūrangi) or Taupō office (67 Horomatangi Street, Level 2, Taupō) during business hours.  You can email the completed application form to permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz or post to PO Box 87, Tūrangi 3353 or drop off at Tūrangi or Taupō office.

Please submit your application at least twenty (20) working days prior to the proposed event date.

If you have an enquiry – please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz

FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY ON LAKE TAUPŌ

The permission of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is required to carry out any filming or photography on Taupō Waters.

You can download the application form below, or collect one from our Tūrangi office (Town Centre, Tūrangi) or Taupō office (67 Horomatangi Street, Level 2, Taupō) during business hours.  You can email the completed application form to permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz or post to PO Box 87, Tūrangi 3353, or drop it off at Tūrangi or Taupō office.

This includes Social Media (e.g. Influencers/Vloggers). If you are unsure, please contact our Permissions Team.

Please submit your application at least twenty (20) working days prior to your planned shoot date.

If you have an enquiry – please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz

protocols, POLICY & fEES for lake taupŌ

These protocols, policy & fees apply to the following:

1. Tourism operators;
2. Event operators; and
3. Film and production operators.
4. Fact Sheet for Fishing Guides

This guidance provides clarity on the cultural and environmental impacts & fees for those who wish to operate on Taupō Waters.

List of approved Commercial Operators who are licensed to operate on Taupō Waters:

As at 3 November 2025.