Commercial operations & events
USING LAKE TAUPŌ FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS & EVENTS
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
The Taupo Waters Trust, of which the Tuwharetoa Māori Trust Board is Trustee, holds the title to the Māori Freehold land which makes up the land held by the Trust.
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.
REGISTER A COMMERCIAL OPERATION
You are required to register with us if you operate a commercial operation, entity or business on Taupō Waters, including Lake Taupō, while a new licensing system is being finalised.
By registering, this will enable us to keep you informed about licensing issues and what you will need to do.
If you have an enquiry – please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz
HOLDING AN EVENT ON LAKE TAUPŌ
If you wish to run or hold an event on Taupō Waters, including Lake Taupō, 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 (81 Horomatangi Street, Taupō) during business hours. You can email the completed application form to permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz or post to PO Box 87, Turangi 3353 or drop off at Tūrangi or Taupō office.
Please submit your application at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed date of the event.
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, which includes Lake Taupō.
You can download the application form below, or collect one from our Tūrangi office (Town Centre, Tūrangi) or Taupō office (81 Horomatangi Street, Taupō) during business hours. You can email the completed application form to permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz or post to PO Box 87, Turangi 3353, or drop it off at Tūrangi or Taupō office.
Please submit your application at least four (4) weeks prior to your planned shoot date.
If you have an enquiry – please email permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz
FAQs – frequently asked questions
[FAQs are currently being updated and will be posted soon]