Commercial operations & events
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS & EVENTS
On Lake Taupō
Permission Required from Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
About Taupo Waters Ownership
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”.
Using / around LAKE TAUPŌ
What do you need permission for?
Events
- Running races
- competitions
- festivals
- organized gatherings on Taupō Waters
Filming & Photography
- Professional filming
- social media content
- influencer/vlogger content
Commercial Operations
- Boat Operators
- Fishing Guides
- Tourism Operations
- Water Activities
- Aircraft
Important Dates for 2025/26
View renewal deadlines, application periods, and key milestones
List of Approved and Licensed Operators
Commercial Operators who are licensed to operate on Taupō Waters:
- Adam Priest – TnT Guided Fly Fishing NZ
- AJ Hackett Bungy NZ Ltd
- Andrew Christmas
- Anthony Fullerton-Smith
- Benjamin Fouhy Kayaking
- Bill Grace Production Fishing
- Blue Mountain Adventure Centre
- Brett Cameron, Central Plateau Fishing
- Bryce Curle Fly Fishing Guide
- Brian Willson, Fishing & Guiding Turangi Limited
- Canoe & Kayak
- Chris Brennan
- Chris Jolly Outdoors
- Cory Scott, Nowhere Man Ltd
- Doughboats Lake Taupo
- Dustin Habener, Habanero Fly Fish
- Dylan Eyeington
- Fish Taupo
- Gareth Bayliss
- Great Lake Adventures Limited
- Huka Falls Jet
- Huka Falls River Cruise
- Josh Hart, Central North Guiding
- Kunio Onishi “flyfishingninja” Fly Fishing
- Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge
- Lakefun Taupō Ltd
- Louise Stuart, Caddis Guiding
- Mark Sims
- Mike Fransham, Fly Fishing Guide
- Mike Holtom, Whiskery Mike’s Charters
- Motutere Bay Holiday Park
- Mr Fishing Adventures Ltd
- Oliver Bassett
- Paul Gittings
- Peter Wilton Fly Fishing
- Sail Barbary
- Sarah Delany, Morton Delany Consulting Ltd
- Simon Dickie Adventures Ltd
- Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoors Education Trust
- Steve Sprague, Fishy Steve’s Fly Fishing Company
- Steve Yerex, Adventure Taupo Ltd
- Taupo Boating & Fishing Charters
- Taupo Lake Adventures Ltd
- Taupo Parasail
- Taupō Pedal Boats
- Taupo Sailing Adventures
- Taupo Trout Ltd
- Taupo Watersports
- The Tongariro Experience Ltd TA Tongariro River Rafting
- Theresa Beilby, Terra Flyfishing Limited
- Tim McCarthy, Tongariro Guide Service
- Tongariro Adventures Ltd
- Tongariro Lodge
- Top Cat Charters – Taupo Ltd
- Venture Beyond Ltd
60 licensed operators
Protocols, Policies & Fees
These protocols, policy & fees apply to the following:
Commercial Policy
Cultural Protocols
Fact Sheet for Fishing Guides
Environmental Standards
Commercial Fees
Frequently asked questions
No, permission is only required for commercial activities, organized events, and professional filming/photography. Personal recreational use of Lake Taupō is welcome and does not require permission from the Trust Board.
Commercial activity includes any operation where you charge fees or generate income from activities on Taupō Waters. This includes boat charters, fishing guides, tourism operations, water sports businesses, and aircraft operations over the lake. If you’re unsure, please contact our team.
We require 20 working days notice to properly assess applications and ensure all cultural and environmental protocols are met. If your event is urgent, contact us immediately at permissions@tuwharetoa.co.nz to discuss your situation. Late applications may not be approved in time.
Yes, if you are creating content for commercial purposes (including influencer content, sponsored posts, or content that generates income), you need permission. This includes vloggers, content creators, and social media influencers operating on Taupō Waters.
Processing times vary depending on the complexity of your application. Standard applications typically take 10-15 working days. This is why we require 20 working days notice – to ensure adequate time for assessment and approval before your activity date.