“Boats are back baby!”

This is the message from and excited and "stoked" Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas.

““It’s fantastic to see these boats back in action on the lake for all to enjoy,” says David. "What an amazing weekend we are going to have!"

This coming weekend on Saturday, January 27, and Sunday, January 28, there will be plenty of action on Lake Taupō with the much anticipated hydro thunder racing.

Also featured on Sunday afternoon will be the Lake Taupō round of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Racing event which is the second round in a series of six for the 2023/2024 season.

“Huge thank you to Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa for their support and approval,” says David.

Late last year Taupō iwi Tūwharetoa banned public boating events on the lake due to fears about the spread of invasive gold clams which had been first discovered at Bob’s Landing in Karāpiro in May 2023.

Both the Hydro Thunder and the NZ Offshore powerboat racing were required re-submit their applications for holding their events this weekend on Lake Taupō, the only freshwater event in the series.

The other rounds are planned for Wellington, Taipa, Whitianga, Napier and possibly Marsden Cove, where fresh water gold clams are not an issue.

"Thanks to a huge effort from the NZOPA the Taupo event is back on," says an NZ Offshore Powerboat Racing spokesperson.

"We understand time is now short however we would love to see as many competitors and day entry warriors as we can at this amazing venue.

"There will be additional launching requirements in line with managing the Golden Clam outbreak that will be explained beforehand."

The Hydro Thunder Racing will be taking place from 9am – 12pm, Saturday January 27, and 9am – 4pm, Sunday January 28. The New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Racing will be taking place from 1pm – 3pm on Sunday January 28.

Visitors to Taupō and locals can expect some noise and a busier than normal boat ramp area at Parakiri/Boat Harbour and Two Mile Bay over the weekend.

The mayor and council are also expressing thanks for the attention being paid to the spread of gold clams.

“A massive shout out to the event organisers and competitors who are all getting behind the safety measures laid out by our friends at Ministry for Primary Industries to stop the spread of those pesky gold clams into our beautiful lake,” says David.

Fresh water gold clams

Gold clams are the freshwater lake and river version of rabbits. They breed very fast and can produce up to 70,000 juveniles in a year. That's a lot of wild teenagers. Because of this, they are a danger to other freshwater life.

Spread of gold clams can be rapid, as they “hitch hike” from one lake to another by sticking to your boat, jet ski, dinghy, kayak and other gear like glue.

Fresh water gold clams. Photo: Supplied.

It is possible to stop them spreading by following the Check, Clean and Dry steps:

Check, clean and dry:

Check - Remove any visible matter, including any clams you can see, along with plant material or mud. Drain all river or lake water.

Clean - Wash down your gear, vehicle, watercraft, and trailer that has been in contact with river or lake water with tap water onto grass, beside the waterway or at home and not into a stormwater drain system.

Dry - Allow gear to dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days) before using again.

You can treat your gear by hot washing, freezing or bleaching. Find out more at www.mpi.govt.nz/clam

“Let’s keep those pesky clams out of our beautiful lakes and rivers,” says a Taupō District  Council spokesperson. “Stay safe and have an awesome summer in the water.”

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