LAKE ROTOKAWAU

Lake Rotokawau is a crater lake owned by the Koromatua whanau. It has a very unique title which runs from the epicenter base of the Lake and includes the surrounding crater walls and the skies above. The water is very pure and cold. In order to prevent weed from other lakes infecting Rotokawau, Rangiteaorere do not allow engines or boats used on any other lake to come on to Rotokawau. Rangiteaorere strives to preserve Lake Rotokawau’s natural features.



The Te Arawa Maori Trust Board Lakes Settlement with the Crown settles all Te Arawa Lakes claims and includes all claims to customary fishing. Lake Rotokawau is not included in this settlement as it is privately owned by Koromatua whanau of Ngati Rangiteaorere. The Crown’s efforts to purchase the lake were rebuffed, an action which induced the Crown, through the Rotorua County Council, to rate the lake in what was an unsuccessful effort to pressure Ngati Rangiteaorere into selling the lake.



Through the Lake Rotokawau Trust, Ngati Rangiteaorere can preserve it from the intrusion of transmission lines. While some lands around the lake have passed into Pakeha ownership, every effort is being made to preserve the skyline from building. Efforts are being made to reinstate fully the indigenous vegetation and to preserve the pristine quality of the water, and in all other ways to restore the lake to its pre-1800 state.



The Treaty guaranteed to Maori self-management of their resources yet Rangiteaorere is unable to utilise its lake waters for commercial koura farming. It seeks to develop fishery farms in Lake Rotokawau. Te Ohu Kai Moana’s Te Wai Maori Trust has a $10 million putea which could be utilized in this regard, but priority is an issue. Ngāti Rangiteaorere seeks to gain priority before the Te Wai Maori Trust and seeks support from the Crown to achieve this result.