Boaties planning Easter activities on Lake Taupō are being warned of dual threats this weekend – deteriorating weather conditions and low water levels creating new navigation hazards.
Taupō Coastguard Unit President Mike Hughes is alerting holidaymakers to exercise extreme caution, noting that rocks previously well below the surface are now creating dangerous obstacles.
"Rocks that were previously half a metre or a metre under the water, they're now dangerously close to the surface and somewhere above," Hughes told Lake FM. "So just around by Wharewaka Point there's two big slabs where we often go to pick up boaties when their outboard hits something at half a metre under the water. Now they are just on the water level or slightly above with the wave action."
The lake's dropping water level comes as weather forecasts predict challenging conditions for Easter weekend boaties, with predictions of one-metre waves and winds of at least 20 knots.
"The weather's looking a bit shabby between now and Easter weekend," Hughes said. "Just be aware it's very changeable weather."
Hughes expressed particular concern about holidaymakers who might feel pressure to get on the water regardless of conditions.
"Often when you come on holiday, you're determined to make it happen almost no matter what. You've brought the boat. You've got the family expecting, let's just get out there. Just watch you don't push the boundaries," he cautioned.
His warning aligns with advice from Waikato Regional Council, whose acting Harbourmaster Hayden Coburn is urging boaties across the region to closely monitor weather forecasts.
"Before they head out, we are encouraging boaties to do their research about the weather by consulting sources such as Metservice and to maintain an ongoing awareness of conditions," Coburn said in a statement. "Don't be afraid to alter your boating plans or cancel them altogether if the conditions are not right."
The Waikato Regional Council reminds boaties that rules can be found on their website, the MarineMate mobile phone application, and on signage at boat ramps around the Waikato.
