Lake Okareka
Its namemeans "the lake of sweet food". In early times, Māori grew sweet potatoes or kumara around the outside of the lake. The lake is now a very popular recreational resource and residential area.
Lake Ōkāreka has reasonably clear, clean water and is used extensively for recreation such as boating, swimming and fishing. However, the quality of the water has been declining over recent years due to excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients come from surrounding farmland, residential septic tanks and from the release of existing and accumulated nutrients from sediments on the lake bed.
| Lake Ōkāreka | At a Glance |
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Lake size: 340 ha Drains to Lake Tarawera via Waitangi |
Lake Ōkāreka Report Card
Action Plan
The Lake Ōkāreka Catchment Action Plan, the first to be completed, was signed off in mid-2004. The catchment hosts a village, about 10 large farms, and large areas of native bush on private land, public land and Māori Trust land. Though its water is reasonably clear, the lake shows early warning signs of deterioration.
Click here to access the Rotorua Lakes Action Plans.