Bouncing back from its January postponement the Wairoa River Power Boat and Water Ski extravaganza is set for the weekend of Friday 20 February.

The Ian Reeves Memorial Ski Racing was planned for January but was postponed due to weather and river conditions.

Organisers were able to pivot and have all the same spills and thrills planned for this coming weekend.

The event will start on Friday evening (February 20) from 5pm with a formal pohiri and welcome near the lighthouse, and a chance to enter a lucky draw to win one of five boat rides.

Action will begin at around 9am on Saturday (February 21), featuring the Rail Bridge to Wairoa Bridge race and continue on Sunday, finishing with the prizegiving at around 4pm.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the event organisers have done well to recover from the disappointment of the January postponement.

"There has been a lot of work put into this event and also a lot of support, and I know our Wairoa community is really appreciative," Mayor Little says.

"The Wairoa River has always been a natural paradise for skiing and boating.

"There have been fantastic events held on our awa, and I am thrilled the river will once again be the centrepiece of power boat and skiing activities."

12 February 2026

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