Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme

29/04/2026

Wallabies are destroying our farms. 🦘🦘🦘Coordinated wallaby control delivers stronger and more cost-effective results. Connect locally and join our nationwide effort. Learn more at biosecurity.govt.nz/stop-wallabies

23/01/2026

He pānui from Health NZ - Lakes ⬇️

⚠️The health warnings at the Ohau Channel and Lake Okaro have been lifted. Check the water for signs of algal blooms as these can develop rapidly and unpredictably.

💦If the water looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or has green or brown particles suspended in it then it is best to avoid contact with it.

⛈️After heavy or prolonged rain, it's best to wait 2-3 days before going in the water as it can be contaminated by land runoff containing bacteria that can cause diseases, and are not visible.

⚠️The health warnings at the Ohau Channel and Lake Okaro have been lifted. Check the water for signs of algal blooms as these can develop rapidly and unpredictably.

💦If the water looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or has green or brown particles suspended in it then it is best to avoid contact with it.

⛈️After heavy or prolonged rain, it's best to wait 2-3 days before going in the water as it can be contaminated by land runoff containing bacteria that can cause diseases, and are not visible.

19/12/2025

From this week there’s a new designated boat washing station in Whakatāne for boaties travelling to Te Arawa Lakes and Lake Ōkataina, to help stop spread of the invasive freshwater clam Corbicula.

All boats and trailers that have been in the Waikato River in the past 30 days and are entering any of the 14 Te Arawa lakes, and all craft entering Lake Ōkataina must be cleaned at a designated wash station and have proof of cleaning.

The two designated wash stations are at Whakatāne Boat Ramp (pictured) and The Wash Place, 338 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua.

• Follow the rules in place for Te Arawa Lakes, Lake Ōkataina and the Waikato River.
• When boating, fishing, and enjoying the water you must Check Clean Dry and then go to the wash station and follow the instructions on the signs.
• You must have proof that your craft has been cleaned at a designated wash station to enter these waters.

Read more: https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/news/news-and-media-releases/media-releases-2025/december-2025/te-arawa-lakes-controlled-area-notice-amendment/

27/11/2025

He pānui: Health warning issued for Lake Rotorua including the Ōhau Channel.
Check out more information in the post below 👇

⚠️Cyanobacteria health warning for Lake Rotorua, including the Ohau channel.
Cyanobacteria can cause skin rashes, asthma symptoms and more. If exposed, shower and change clothes ASAP.
🐶 Keep dogs away from affected water - it's toxic to them too.
ℹ️ Check water safety near you: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/bay-of-plenty-region.
ℹ️ Information is also available from Toi Moana | Bay of Plenty Regional Council: https://www.boprc.govt.nz/

23/07/2025

What a beautiful evening on the shores of Lake Rotorua, whānau! If you’re keen to learn more about how mātauranga Māori and western science are working together to protect and restore the mauri of our waterways, then come and join the kōrero at He Huihuinga Roto Moana Presentation Evening.

📍 Rotorua Energy Events Centre
🕕 6.00pm to 9.00pm TONIGHT (Wednesday 23 July)
➡️ Free entry | all welcome

16/07/2025

Join us next week for He Huihuinga Roto Moana Presentation Evening at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. You'll hear from experts and researchers about the health of our lakes and rivers – from invasive clams and water quality to tuna migrations and traditional w**d control.

Free event | all welcome

Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council

12/05/2025

Te Arawa Lakes Trust, in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Land Information New Zealand, will be commencing its bi-annual aquatic w**d control programme across the Te Arawa Lakes from the 12th of May. Targeted aquatic spraying will be taking place intermittently from the 12th o...

16/04/2025

Looking for something to keep the tamariki occupied this wet Easter? Te Arawa Catfish Killas have something for you!

🐰🎨 EASTER COLOURING COMPETITION! 🎨🐰

With the forecast looking a bit grim for the long Easter Weekend, hop into the holidays with our Catfish Killas Colouring Challenge! 🐟🌿

Keep busy this weekend by getting creative- grab those colouring pencils out! As we know, brown bullhead catfish are an introduced pest fish in our rohe, and we want tamariki to help us spread the message about these pests through art while keeping warm and dry this weekend!

🖍️ Download the colouring page below:
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

📸 How to Enter:
1️⃣ Colour the page (including your Easter inspiration!)
2️⃣ Take a clear photo of your masterpiece
3️⃣ Send it to us via DM/messenger on this page with the artists name and age
4️⃣ We’ll upload it to our Facebook gallery after entries close (see below)— the artwork with the most likes wins!

🎁 PRIZE: A sweet Easter Prize Pack full of goodies!
📅 Entries close: 6pm, Tuesday 22nd April
📅 Images uploaded: by 7pm Tuesday 22nd April.
👉 Don’t forget to like and share your faves!
🏆 Winner announced: 4pm, Friday 25th April

Let’s have some fun while protecting our native waterways!🐣💦

30/03/2025

He pānui‼️
A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Otautu Bay in Lake Rotoehu due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.
This health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water.

A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Otautu Bay in Lake Rotoehu due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

This health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water.

These algal blooms have the capacity to release toxins into the water which can cause significant ill-health to anyone who has contact with the water. The toxins can affect the nervous system causing numbness and difficulty with breathing, and also sparking asthma attacks. Contact with the water can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems.

Signage advising the public about the algal bloom will be erected at the location by the local council.

Further information:
- Toxic algae: www.toiteora.govt.nz/public/recreational-water
- List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings

27/03/2025

A timely reminder to always wear your lifejacket and carry two forms of waterproof communication when you're out on our lakes.