Lake Rotoiti
Te Roto kite ā Ihenga I Ariki ai Kahu
Ihenga came inland to explore the area. His dog Potakatawhiti disappeared for some time and on return, vomited up whitebait. Ihenga then realised he was near water. He landed on the shores of the lake which, because of the size of the particular bay, he was deceived into thinking the lake was small. He called it Lake Rotoiti, or Te Roto-Whaiti-i-kite-ai-a-Ihenga-i-Ariki-ai-a Kahumatamomoe.
Lake Rotoiti is a relatively large lake and a popular location for boating and fishing. It is linked to Lake Rotorua via the Ōhau Channel. This means that the quality of the water in Lake Rotorua has a significant effect on Lake Rotoiti. Much of the work being done to improve Lake Rotorua is also aimed at improving water quality in Lake Rotoiti.
In July 2008 a diversion wall was constructed that prevents water that has a high nutrient content from flowing directly into Lake Rotoiti. As a result more than 70 percent of the nutrients that were flowing into Lake Rotoiti have now been diverted down the Kaituna River
| Lake Rotoiti | At a glance |
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Lake size: 3400 ha Catchment area: 12160 ha Elevation: 279 m Average depth: 31 m Deepest point: 93.5 m Formed: 8500 years ago Drains to the Kaituna River; and to Lakes Rotoehu and Rotomā via subsurface flow |
Lake Rotoiti Report Card
Action Plan
Click here to find out about The Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti Action Plan