Lake Rotoiti

Required Action

1. Restoration of native flora by suppression and then eradication of lake weeds
2. Suppression and then eradication of Catfish
3. Enforcement of the Rule to prevent further pest incursions (fish and weeds) by requiring certification of a clean boat before launching.
4. Maintenance of the Ohau Channel Diversion wall.
5. New rules to prevent excess erosion during forestry harvesting.
6. Completion of sewerage reticulation at eastern end.

Background

Lake Rotoiti is situated to the northeast of Rotorua and is bounded by SH 33(Tauranga) on its western side and SH 30(Whakatane) on its southern shores. It is the most popular trout fishing and boating lake in the District. The western end is a drowned river valley and has a splendid variety of small bays and inlets, on the northwest side many have been developed with lakeside homes. The eastern end of the lake is a large very deep caldera with lakeside properties along the State Highway extending down to Hinehopu and magnificent bush clad cliffs on the opposite side. The full name of the lake is Te Rotoiti-kite-a-Īhenga, which in Maori means "The Small Lake Discovered By Īhenga". Legend says that the lake was named as such because when Ihenga first sighted it he only saw a small part.

Statistics are:

Size: 3400 ha
Length: 15km
Width: 2.6km
Catchment: 12,160 ha
Average depth: 31m
Max depth: 93.5m
Elevation: 279m
Formed: 8500 years ago
Target TLI: 3.5
TLI 2019/20: 3.7
TLI 2016: 3.8
Target LakeSPI: Good
LakeSPI 219/20: Poor

Concerning is the worsening level of phosphorus

Nitrogen, Algae and Water Clarity are all stable

Chronology

1960s

Introduction of lagrosiphon and other lake weeds, rapidly spread colonising much of the literal zone

1970s

Significant land use change from farming with substantial planting of plantation pines

2003

Lake had several big blue-green algae blooms that became a regular feature.

2006

First Stage of sewerage commissioned for Mourea, ultimately extended to Otaramarae

2008

Ohau Diversion Wall erected as the main intervention to restore the health of the lake. Nutrients from Rotorua catchment diverted directly down the Okere Arm to the Kaituna River.

2016

Brown Bullhead Catfish confirmed in Te Weta Bay, initially confined by a cordon but within 2 years was abandoned. Now spread throughout the entire lake but most abundant in the shallower western end. Spread up the Ohau Channel into Lake Rotorua. Suppression netting programme run by BOPRC. Educational programme “Catfish Killers” run by TALT. Sterile male control programme commenced in 2021, likely to be a decade before significant reductions achieved.

2019

Endothall trial to assess eradication of hornwort and lagrosiphon

2020

Adoption of Rule 10 reducing nutrients in the Rotorua Catchment

2021

Eastern sewerage due to be finished completing the sewerage to the entire lake. Increased suppression by LINZ spraying of lake weeds for recreational activities.

Associated Issues

Aerial View