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.
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
WASH UP – At the end of your financial year, a wash-up is required to determine the income you declared against the actual income earned.
- Wash up balance dates
- 31 March 2023
- 31 May 2023
- 30 June 2023
- 31 July 2023
- 31 December 2023
*The declaration is to be completed by your chartered accountant. Declarations are required 6 weeks after your financial year-end.
If you have any queries – 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 (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.
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.
This includes Social Media (e.g. Influencers/Vloggers). If you are unsure, please contact our Permissions Team.
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
protocols, POLICY & fEES for lake taupŌ
These protocols, policy & fees apply to the following:
- Tourism operators;
- Event operators; and
- Film and production operators.
- 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:
This page is currently being updated with a full list of operators – 19 June 2023.
Organisation or Name | Organisation or Name |
Adam Priest – TnT Guided Fly Fishing NZ | Peter Wilton Fly Fishing |
AJ Hackett Bungy NZ Ltd | Poronui New Zealand |
Bill Grace Fishing Guide, Turangi | Te Aurere Rotorua and Taupo Fly Fishing Adventures – Raymond Nelson |
Brett Cameron, Central Plateau Fishing | Sail Barbary |
Bryce Curle Fly Fishing Guide | Simon Dickie Adventures Ltd |
Chris Brennan | Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoors Education Trust |
Chris Jolly Outdoors | Taupo Boating & Fishing Charters |
Creel Tackle House and Guides | Taupo Jet Ski Tours |
Doughboats Lake Taupo | Taupo Kayaking Adventures |
Fish Her Charters | Taupo Lake Adventures Ltd |
Fish Taupo | Taupo Parasail |
Gareth Bayliss | Taupō Pedal Boats |
Great Lake Adventures Limited | Taupo Sailing Adventures |
Huka Falls Jet | Taupo Trout Ltd |
Huka Falls River Cruise | Taupo Watersports |
Kunio Onishi “flyfishingninja” Fly Fishing | Taupos Floatplane Ltd, Trading as Taupo’s Floatplane |
Lake Taupo Cruises | Te Aurere Rotorua and Taupo Fly Fishing Adventures |
Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge | Terra Flyfishing Limited (Theresa Beilby) |
Lakefun Taupō Ltd | Taxicat Adventures |
Mike Fransham – Fly Fishing Guide | The Tongariro Experience Ltd TA Tongariro River Rafting |
Mike Holtom, Whiskery Mike’s Charters | Tim McCarthy, Tongariro Guide Service |
Nowhere Man Ltd (Cory Scott) | Tongariro Adventures Ltd |
Motutere Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park Kayak Hire | Tongariro Lodge |
Paul Gittings | Top Cat Charters – Taupo Ltd |
Trout Hunting NZ |