GAY Guysers-Gazette-issue14.pdf

Rotorua ‚ s Green & Blue lakes
Lake Rotokakahi - Green Lake
From this lookout off Tarawera Road you
can get this view of both lakes.
Lake Rotokakahi or Green Lake, is one of
four small lakes lying between Lake Rotorua
and Lake Tarawera in the Bay of Plenty region
of New Zealand’s North Island. The others
are Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Lake Okareka,
and Lake Okataina. All lie within the Okataina
caldera, along its western edge.
Named for its abundance of kakahi (freshwater
mussels),it flows to Lake Tarawera via the
Te Wairoa waterfalls. From the air the lake
looks emerald green due to its shallow,
sandy bottom. The lake is 1302 feet above
sea level and 69 feet below the level of the
neighbouring Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
Rotokakahi remains under the authority of
Te Arawa iwi, and remains largely undisturbed
as it is considered to be tapu (sacred).
Green Lake Quick Facts:
Lake named after the shellfish (kakahi)
440 hectares in size, deepest point 32 metres
Flows to Lake Tarawera via Te Wairoa stream
Formed approximately 12,300 years ago
Emerald green from above due to shallow,
sandy bottom
Privately owned by local iwi (Maori), this
lake is sacred (tapu). No boating, swimming
or fishing is permitted
From the Lookout carpark, off Tarawera Rd,
an old forestry road runs along the shoreline
which goes all the way through to State
Highway 5. You can walk along this road
18 Guysers Gazette
Issue 14 • Summer 2018