River Access

Rivers & Recreation

Recreational use on and around rivers in the Waimakariri District comes under the jurisdiction of Environment Canterbury.

Visit the Environment Canterbury website for information on access, river flows, water quality, and other issues such as fly dumping and litter around the rivers.

Kaiapoi River Boat Ramps

The lower Kaiapoi River can be accessed by a public launch point at Askeaton Park (off Hall Street in Kaiapoi). Here the 20 metre-wide boat ramp is shared with the Waimakariri-Ashley Coastguard.

Access to the ramp has been designed on the basis of a 6.5 metre long boat trailer, which is larger than most boat trailers used at Kaiapoi. This design gives drivers the choice to drive into the Coastguard area and then reverse onto the ramp.

There is also a small launching point for dinghies and kayaks near Murphy Park, just west of the Mandeville Bridge.

Kairaki Beach Boat Ramp

There is a public boat launching ramp for access to the Waimakariri River located at the Kairaki Beach settlement at the end of Featherstone Ave.

Last reviewed date: 04 Aug 2023