Reserve Management Plan review

Reserve Management Plans are required under the Reserves Act 1977 to guide the use, management, and protection of reserve land. They provide a long-term vision and direction on actions that will be taken in the next 10 years, including decisions on sport and recreation, accommodation, events, activities and infrastructure.

The plan acts as a reference point and includes the reserve classification and legal status, the area it covers, and an overview of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The Reserve Management Plan review will aim to:

  • Recognise the area’s significance to mana whenua
  • Improve the reserve’s environmental outcomes
  • Understand mana whenua, stakeholders, neighbours and the wider community’s aspirations for the reserve
  • Respond to increased visitor numbers, and changing recreation and environmental needs and conditions
  • Explore the role of the domain in relation to other reserves around the edge of Lake Karāpiro and the wider open space and accommodation network, and
  • Align with new or reviewed legislation, national policy statements, strategies and bylaws.

Council has commissioned open spaces specialist consultant Xyst to lead the review process.

Xyst will work closely with mana whenua, Waikato Regional Council, and other partner organisations and key stakeholders including lessees and adjoining landowners to review the Reserve Management Plan.

Karāpiro Lake Domain Reserve Management Plan 2011 open in new window

Masterplan

Council will also be developing a separate Masterplan, which is a high-level visual layout of the site. It will provide more detailed guidance on reserve developments in a document that can be easily amended in the future (as it isn't under the Reserves Act).

Have your say

Have your say on what long-term outcomes you think are important for Karāpiro Lake Domain, how you would like to see the reserve land developed and what activities you’d like to see the new Reserve Management Plan enable or restrict.

Your feedback will inform the preparation of a draft Reserve Management Plan that we will go back out for consultation around mid-2025.

You can have your say:

  • Complete the online submission form
  • Download the submission form here or pick up a hard copy from one of our council offices or libraries
  • Email haveyoursay@waipadc.govt.nz with ‘Karāpiro Lake Domain review’ in the subject line, or
  • Write to us at Waipā District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840.

Feedback closes 5pm on Sunday, December 8.

Background

Karāpiro Lake Domain is located between Maungatautari Road and the western shore of Lake Karāpiro, approximately 10 kilometres from Cambridge. It is a significant recreation and event hub managed by council under the Reserves Act 1977.

This area holds ancestral, spiritual, historic, cultural and economic importance for mana whenua.

The reserve has had significant changes in the levels of usage and events, environmental conditions of the lake, the legislative context and a greater appreciation of mana whenua values.

It serves as a premier venue for water sports such as rowing, canoeing, yachting, power boating, water skiing, waka ama and dragon boating, as well as land-based events like cycling championships and music festivals. It can accommodate up to 15,000 people outdoors and offers a wide array of facilities, including the Sir Don Rowlands Centre, the Podium Café, the Rob Waddell Lodge, campsites, high-performance centres and clubrooms and storage facilities.

In the 2024/2025 period, there are currently 37 events scheduled, many being multi-day events.

This dynamic space also functions as a recreational area for local residents and is a key stop on the Te Awa River Ride.

In December 2023, the management contract was awarded to GL Events Ltd for another five years. GL Events Ltd, owned by Waipā Deputy Mayor Liz Stolwyk and her husband Andrew Reymer, has managed the reserve since 2004. The contract was renewed following an open market best practice procurement process.

Liz Stolwyk will declare a conflict of interest when it comes to the hearings, deliberations and decisions made by Council.

Accommodation

In 2020, two reports prepared by Horwarth HTL highlighted the need for additional accommodation at Karāpiro Lake Domain to support the significant number and diversity of events and adequately meet the needs of current and potential users.

This would supplement the accommodation that is currently provided in the Rob Waddell Lodge (see below).

The report identified an opportunity for 3.5-4-star Qualmark standard motel-style accommodation with 20-30 units on-site to satisfy the needs of a much wider range of users, such as larger groups seeking a better standard of accommodation.

Further investigation and a feasibility study are required, and it’s likely that Council would need to consider a partnership model to fund and operate any new accommodation.

Current accommodation

Rob Waddell Lodge (large kitchen and dining area, sleeps 41 people in 13 rooms with each room having a bunk bed and single bed), five chalets (four bunk beds and ensuite and two fully equipped kitchens) and 60 powered and 80 non-powered campsites (with amenity block).