No favourites as councillors strip wording from Lake Karāpiro plan

Friday, 26 June 2026

Powerboats will continue to share Lake Karāpiro with rowers after Waipā councillors rejected wording that seemed to suggest the district's premier recreation reserve should favour non-motorised users.

The decision came as councillors considered more than 800 public submissions on the draft reserve management plan and masterplan for Lake Karāpiro Domain, setting the long-term direction for one of the region's busiest recreational and sporting destinations.

At a strategic policy and planning committee meeting on Friday, councillors welcomed a recommendation to remove wording in the plan that seemed to prioritise non-motorised lake users, which was a major area of contention.

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi ward councillor Marcus Gower described it as “a fantastic change and one that I feel resonates with the motorised users of the lake and I think our ratepayers”.

It was a view echoed by Pirongia and Kakepuku ward councillor Clare St Pierre.

“The lake's always been used by lots of different sports and I hope to see that in the future too,” she said.

“Clearly it's the only logical outcome based on the views of everyone that was presented at the hearing.”

Mayor Mike Pettit said while submitters on both sides of the issue had strong views on the matter, there was a willingness to continue coexisting on the lake.

“There was a lot of synergy and unity and it didn't seem to be a massive problem - people are coexisting and getting on.”

The committee also considered several issues where community views remained divided, including proposals to reduce the amount of volleyball courts and accommodation improvements at the domain.

While the masterplan suggested one court would be sufficient to meet regular demand down from four, councillors were divided with many arguing volleyball was a growing sport.

“It looks like we are the only district that has outside courts apart from Hamilton out of the whole of the Waikato,” Waipā Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan said.

Following discussion, elected members chose to update the draft masterplan to remove the policy to reduce the volleyball courts.

Councillors also stressed the masterplan outlines a long-term vision rather than a funded programme of work.

Cambridge councillor Aidhean Camson said it was important community members were made aware the improvements included in the masterplan were “not funded or scheduled in any way, shape, nor form”.

“It could take 10 years or it could take 100 years and I don't think that is clear,” he told councillors.

“I think the work, it's good work - I just think it's important the general public understand what this is.”

Xyst senior consultant Dafydd Pettigrew told elected members before discussions got underway it had been “a long journey and a good journey” to get to this point.

He thanked staff and submitters for their contributions to the plan.

“Having that many submissions come through on this plan was fantastic.

“This plan is council's handshake with the community and help counselling teams to manage the domain in the future.”

Pettit said the council had gone through 1100 pages of submissions, adding he believed it was the most feedback on a council initiative since he became an elected member.

“It shows the passion that people have.”

The revised reserve management plan and masterplan will be presented to the full council for consideration.