Fix Ohau Wall

Lake Rotoiti is at risk.

The Ōhau Wall, built in 2008 to block polluted inflows from Lake Rotorua, is failing. Leaks began in 2022 and it remains unrepaired in 2025.

Fix Ōhau Wall is a community-led push to restore the wall and protect Rotoiti’s water quality for future generations. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has both a legal and moral duty to act—before the damage gets worse.

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The Issues

Water Quality

Restoration of water quality is our key objective. The Trophic Level Index (TLI) is the main measure used and all lakes have a target based on their pre 1960’s state. Half our lakes are significantly above their target TLI but still require further remediation.

Pest Fish

Brown Bullhead Catfish were confirmed in Lake Rotoiti in 2015, to date over 3000 have been caught. The principal population is contained within Te Weta Bay and this has been cordoned off to confine these pest fish.

Weeds

Aquatic weeds of Hornwort, Lagrosiphon, Egeria and Elodea have established in most of our lakes and dominate the flora. Some of our lakes are becoming highly degraded, utilisation of them can be inhibited and the odour of degrading weed is highly unpleasant.

Catchment Nutrients

Water quality is dominated by nutrients being transported in water flows from the wider catchment. The principal tool in management of reduced water quality is the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Climate Change

Warming lakes and increased intensity in storm events will add to the challenge of restoration and preservation. This potentially will increase algae blooms and weed growth.

Submissions

We periodically make submission to Councils and Government on issues that are important to the restoration of the lakes. These submissions can be viewed at other parts of this site.

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The Lakes

The Rotorua Lakes comprise a dozen major lakes and some smaller ones, in the central volcanic region of the North Island of New Zealand.

Lake Tarawera

Lake Rotoma

Lake Rotoiti

Lake Okareka

View All 12 Lakes

About our society

Lakes Water Quality Society (Incorporated), is a Registered Charity and a community organisation. Our members voluntarily give their time in pursuit of our vision:

“Restore Rotorua Lakes to pre-1960's quality”

LWQS has a long and proud history. The society was originally formed in 1961 as the Lakeweed Control Society and in 2000 shifted to its current name taking on the greater responsibility of advocacy for the restoration of the lakes across the Rotorua District. We work with the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and IWI to achieve our goal. In additional we foster research and education on lakes; work with local, regional and central government and community groups in our quest to restore the lakes to health.