PRANZ events

PRANZ runs a number of events every year. There is the main national meetup, regular regional meetups, training opportunities and adhoc events. Tickets are managed through Humantix, follow us on there to get notifications of events going online.

Here is a general outline of the year in events

January

National Meetup Murchison

February

Hokitika Hui – end of February

March

April

Tongariro Turbo – ANZAC weekend, 24-27 April 2026

May 

Hollyford Pyke Packraft Expedition – 9-13 May 2026

June

July

International Packraft Film Festival

August

AGM

September

World rivers day – 4th Sunday

October

Mighty Mohaka

November

Wahine weekend

Rangitikei overnighter

December

Also connect into your local packrafting group to find out about local trips.

Releases

There are a number of recreational dam releases that occur every year. While they are not
PRANZ events, they are a great opportunity to meet other paddlers as people travel far and
wide to get those juicy flows!

Tongariro River releases for 2026

• Saturday 31 January 2026, Poutū release 9:00-15:00, 30 cumecs
• Sunday, 1 February 2026, Rangipō release 8:00-16:00, 30 cumecs.
• Saturday 25 April 2026, Poutū release 9:00-15:00, 30 cumecs
• Sunday, 26 April 2026, Rangipō release 8:00-16:00, 30 cumecs.
• Saturday 19 September 2026, Poutū release 9:00-15:00, 30 cumecs
• Sunday, 20 September 2026, Rangipō release 8:00-16:00, 30 cumecs.

There are two sections; Poutū/Access 10 (Grade III) and Rangipō/Access 13&14 (Grade
III/IV). Packrafters aren’t likely to be running the Access 14 section
as there are grade 4+ rapids in this run at release flows.

See the write ups on www.packrafting trips.nz: Access 10, Access 13, and Access 14.

Whakapapa River releases for 2026

The Whakapapa is a wicked grade III run, but is a little hard to catch – it is a natural
release river, which means it has the added complication of needing at least 16 cumecs
in the river for the release to occur. As a result it is often cancelled. Keep a close eye on
the Whitewater NZ and Genesis energy websites in the days leading up to the release.

• Saturday, 8 August 2026, 09:00 – 17:00, Natural flow release
• Saturday, 22 August 2026, 09:00 – 17:00, back up for if the release on the 8th
  doesn’t go ahead
• Saturday, 5 September 2026 09:00 – 17:00, natural flow release if flows are over 16
  cumecs
• Saturday, 26 September 2026, 09:00 – 17:00, Back up for if the release on the
  5th doesn’t go ahead

See packraftingtrips.nz/whakapapa-sh47-owhango/ and packraftingtrips.nz/whakapapa-below-owhango/.

Tekapo river release

The Tekapo Whitewater course is an artificial whitewater course. The course is approx
550m long, jam packed with excellent (but pushy) features. This means you can walk
back to the top and practice all the moves over and over again. The top section of the
course is grade II, while the lower section, beneath the second playhole is Grade III.

Read the full description on packrafting trips.nz/tekapo-whitewater.

Keep an eye on the Tekapo Whitewater Course Facebook Page for release dates and cancellations.