Three Lakes, Three Weekends: Hydroplane Racing in NZ This Summer

3 days ago

3 min read

Your guide to the Lucas Oil HydroThunder NZ Series: Mangakino, Karapiro and Rotoiti.

Picture a single-seat race boat skimming across a lake at high speed, a plume of spray trailing behind it. That’s hydroplane racing, and this summer the Lucas Oil HydroThunder NZ Series brings it to three lakes: Mangakino on 5–6 December, Karapiro in early February and Rotoiti in mid-March. The big Grand Prix hydroplanes get the headlines, but the programme runs from those machines all the way to junior drivers just starting out.

Here’s what to expect, and how to plan a weekend around it.

The 2026/27 Calendar

Round	Dates	Venue
Round 1	5-6 December 2026	Lake Maraetai, Mangakino
Round 2: NZPBA Nationals / Masport Cup	5-7 February 2027	Lake Karapiro, near Cambridge
Round 3	13-14 March 2027	Lake Rotoiti, near St Arnaud

Dates are as currently published and can change, so check with the organisers before you travel.

Who you'll see on the water

Grand Prix hydroplanes are the headline class, but they’re only part of the programme. Recent rounds have also included:

Grand Prix (GP) hydroplanes. The headline class. These are large single-seat boats powered by supercharged V8 engines, and they can reach speeds above 270 km/h.
Formula One tunnels. Tunnel-hull race boats, including two-seater versions at some events.
Modified Hydroplanes, Series 3000 and Formula 3. Further hydroplane and runabout classes that fill out the programme.
Clubman. An accessible way into powerboat racing for drivers aged 15 and over, with standard engines and a range of hull designs.
Juniors. For drivers aged 12 to 15, and the entry point to the sport. It’s where many future racers get started.
Hydroplane Invitational Series. Introduced last season for smaller hydroplanes, with boats of similar size and power and timed starts designed to level the field.

Which classes race at each round varies, so check the event programme before you go.

Why it's worth the trip

There’s more than one kind of boat. Grand Prix hydroplanes headline, but the programme also includes tunnels, modified hydroplanes and junior racers, so there’s plenty to watch through the day.
It’s a summer weekend at a lake. Each round is set at a lake venue, which makes it easy to turn into a day out or a short getaway.
There’s a round for most of the country. Two are in the Waikato and one is in the Nelson Lakes region, so you can pick the one closest to you.
Karapiro is the big one. It hosts the Masport Cup and is widely seen as the biggest round on the calendar. Last season, Jack Lupton won the Masport Cup there for the fourth time, at its 101st running.

The venues

Lake Maraetai, Mangakino. In the South Waikato, Mangakino has opened the series in recent seasons. Lake Maraetai is a narrow basin, and crosswinds can shape how the racing plays out. Taupō and Tokoroa are the nearest larger centres.
Lake Karapiro. Near Cambridge in the Waikato, Karapiro hosts the Masport Cup and the NZPBA Nationals.
Lake Rotoiti. In the Nelson Lakes region of the South Island, near St Arnaud, Rotoiti hosts the final round of the season. Not to be confused with Lake Rotoiti near Rotorua.

Getting there

Pick the round closest to you, then book early, particularly for Karapiro, and for Rotoiti, where accommodation near the lake is likely to be more limited.

Plan to drive to all three. Mangakino and Karapiro are both in the Waikato. Rotoiti is a longer trip, with St Arnaud as the nearest base and Nelson the nearest city.

Tips for spectators

Sun protection. Hats, sunscreen and water. Lake venues can offer little shade.
Ear protection. Hydroplanes are loud, so bring earmuffs or plugs, especially for children.
Chairs and layers. Bring something to sit on, and a jacket for cooler mornings by the water.
Be flexible. Wind and water conditions can change the programme, so check the day’s schedule when you arrive.
Check entry details. Gate times and entry fees are set by the organisers, so check the event page before you go.

Plan your weekend

Follow Lucas Oil NZ on Facebook and Instagram (@lucasoilnz) for updates through the season, as well as Hydro Thunder (@hydrothundernz) for results and general season updates. Choose your round, check the organisers’ event page for entry details, and book early.

About Lucas Oil in New Zealand

Lucas Oil is the naming rights partner of the HydroThunder series. Logan Direct is an Authorised Reseller of Lucas Oil Products in New Zealand.

Find out more on our Lucas Oil page.