Riparian Planting at Hamurana Reserve
Helping protect Lake Rotorua while maintaining what makes Hamurana Reserve special.
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is planning lake edge planting within Hamurana Reserve as part of the Lake Rotorua Riparian Buffer Project.
This work is part of a wider catchment programme aimed at improving water quality of Lake Rotorua. By establishing targeted planting along the lake margin, we can help reduce contaminants entering the lake, improve habitat for native species, and strengthen the resilience of the lakeside environment.
We know Hamurana Reserve is a special place for the community and visitors. That's why we're taking a balanced approach that protects the lake while keeping the reserve enjoyable to use. Maintaining lake views, preserving access to the water, and ensuring the area remains safe and welcoming are all important considerations in the planting design.
What is riparian planting?
Riparian planting involves establishing vegetation along the edge of waterways and lakes. These planted areas help:
Filter runoff before it enters the lake
Improve water quality
Reduce erosion and stabilise shorelines
Provide habitat for native birds, insects and aquatic species
Support the long-term health of the lake environment
While some vegetation is already present around parts of the reserve, there are opportunities to improve and enhance its ability to protect Lake Rotorua.
What we're proposing
The proposed planting approach has been designed to balance environmental benefits with community use and enjoyment of the reserve.
We propose to do this by:
Maintaining important view corridors to Lake Rotorua
Retaining key public access points to the water
Creating a vegetated buffer along the lake margin to help improve water quality
Prioritising low-growing native species in highly visible areas
Using taller vegetation selectively where it provides the greatest environmental benefit
Creating a more attractive and resilient lakeside environment
Supporting native birds, insects and aquatic species
Reducing erosion and helping stabilise the lake edge
Importantly, we are not proposing a continuous wall of vegetation along the lake edge. Most areas will be planted with low-growing native species, with taller plants used only where appropriate.
Restoring and protecting the lakeside environment
This project is part of wider efforts to improve the health of Lake Rotorua and restore the surrounding natural environment for future generations. We’re working alongside mana whenua, and the perspectives of iwi and hapū are helping to inform and shape the project.
Have your say
Residents have been sent letters to share their feedback regarding the proposed planting approach. An online version is available here. The three maps below can help you identify and describe specific areas. Feedback is open until 1 November 2026.
Once feedback has been reviewed, we will refine the design and share the final planting plan, including how community feedback has been considered.
