Several dragon boat regattas and festivals are run throughout New Zealand in the 2009- 2010 season.

For teams to compete at the NZDBA Nationals they must have competed at an NZDBA sanctioned event during the season.  To be Sanctioned by NZDBA, the event must be:

• 500m minimum race length,
• race in IDBF-specification dragon boats, and
• 20 paddlers plus caller and sweep per boat (caller must be drumming).

There are other events outside of this such as the Wellington Festival which is not a race length of 500m, or the Hamilton Super 12's. Events such as this are more about the fun and are a great spectacle for the sport whilst giving some teams that may not be competing at National level the chance to get out amongst it with other local teams.

The sanctioned events  for the 2009- 2010 season that are being organised by NZDBA regional sports organisations are: 

AORAKI Dragon Boat Association:

• Early Bird Regatta at Pegasus Lake. 
  Sunday 21-February-10.
• South Island Championships at Lake Hood.
  Saturday 6-March-10 

Schools and adult competitions will be held on the same day. 

AUCKLAND Dragon Boat Association

• Auckland Regional Senior Dragon Boat Championships at Lake Pupuke, North Shore City.
  Saturday 13-March-10
• Auckland Regional Junior Dragon Boat Championships" at Lake Pupuke, North Shore City.
  Sunday 14-March-10.