Lake Hood
Lake gates to open, health warning remains
Full vehicle access to the road around Lake Hood will be restored today although a public health warning on the lake remains.
Lake Hood and the Ashburton Aquatic Park spans over 100 hectares and is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Ashburton, or you can bike there along a well-maintained track beside the Ashburton River.
The lake itself is over 80 hectares, with room for sailing, water-skiing, fishing and swimming. There are dedicated water-skiing and jet-skiing areas, as well as an eight-lane international rowing course.
It is a man-made lake, named after prominent local businessman and it was opened in 2002; the lake was later extended to include an area for sailing, windsurfing and non-powered vessels. There is a large public boat ramp.
A new addition for the adventurous is a 4m jumping platform, in its own body of water.
Off the water, there are biking and walking trails and green areas perfect for a picnic or relaxing. The park has a nine-hole golf course and a paintball course, and a restaurant and bar operates on the edge of the lake and residential canals.
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Before constructing a jetty in Lake Hood, Stage 14 residents must review the Jetty Guidelines- November 2023 and submit a Notice of Unconsented Works Form to Council.
The Notice and all relevant documents can be emailed through to Council or posted to Ashburton District Council, PO Box 94, Ashburton 7740.
Once this information lodged with Council, there is a Fee for a Building Exemption Fee (Link to Fees and Charges is here).
A Licence to Occupy will be issued once the relevant documentation has been provided and the fee paid.
Following the cyanobacteria algal bloom in Lake Hood in early 2023, the Lake Hood Water Quality Taskforce was formed to investigate options to improve water quality at the lake. The Taskforce comprises of representatives from Ashburton Aquatic Park Charitable Trust, the Huntingdon Park Property Owners Association, Lake Hood Extension Project and Ashburton District Council.
On the 12th February 2024, the Taskforce held a meeting to update Lake Hood residents on progress. A copy of the presentation can be found here: Lake Hood Water Quality Taskforce Presentation.
Read the April 2024 report from NIWA on lake management options.
Read the April 2024 report from NIWA
Read more: Lake Hood Jumping Platform FAQs
See Lake Hood Q&A – February 2024
Lake Hood News
Lake access to open, health warning remains
Full vehicle access to the road around Lake Hood will be restored today although a public health warning on the lake remains. People are still urged to adhere to the public health warning and avoid contact recreation with the lake.
Water testing continues at Lake Hood
The latest cyanobacteria reading at Lake Hood has unfortunately delayed Council consideration about re-opening the lake to the public for water sports.
Councillors to receive Lake Hood water report
A 75-page report will be presented to Councillors on Wednesday, providing an information update on water quality issues at Lake Hood and the work currently underway to address them.
Lake Hood closed until further notice due to algal bloom
Council has decided to close Lake Hood to the public until further notice due to an algal bloom and the risk to health posed by cyanobacteria toxins.
Health warning - Algal bloom in Lake Hood
Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning after potentially toxic blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in Lake Hood.
Lake Hood water quality update: March 2025
Council is keeping a close eye on water in the canals at Lake Hood, as warm weather increases concerns about an algal bloom.
Lake Hood Water Quality Update: 21 January 2025
Council is undertaking more physical work at Lake Hood to improve water circulation.
Lake Hood water quality update: October 2024
Council has engaged engineering consultants Tonkin and Taylor to help create a future strategy plan for the management of Lake Hood, which has been affected by water quality issues over the past two summers.