2023 Tarawera River Speed Uplifting Option One
Status Quo (Current Situation)
A speed uplifting applies to all navigable waters of the Tarawera River upstream of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge.
Final decision
Option 2 was adopted in the new Navigation Safety Bylaws. This means that designated swimming areas have been introduced, where watercraft must not exceed 5 knots. The updated Bay of Plenty Navigation Safety Bylaws will come into effect in mid-2025, but the Harbourmaster is looking at interim measures for ensuring navigation safety in this area over this summer.
Tarawera River Speed Uplifting
There are no speed limits for watercraft on the Tarawera River, upstream of the State Highway 2 bridge. Safety concerns have been raised by communities who swim in this part of the river. We asked for feedback on removing the speed uplifting rule within the Tarawera River from the State Highway 34 bridge to the outlet of Lake Tarawera.
This would mean that the maximum speed watercraft could travel in this stretch of river is 5 knots. The rules would provide more safety for people swimming in the river.
Take a look at the options we asked for feedback on below.
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2023 Tarawera River Speed Uplifting Option Two
Apply a 5 knot rule through the Kawerau township
A speed uplifting applies to all navigable waters of the Tarawera River downstream of the State Highway 34 Bridge. From the State Highway 34 bridge to the lake side of the Kawerau golf course a maximum speed of 5 knots only is allowed. Watercraft can go up to 5 knots in the most direct route through the area giving swimmers as much space as possible.
