Lake Rotoiti , Rotorua Overview

‘The Small Lake’, Lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand, is a relatively large lake, contrary to its name, near the famous Lake Rotorua. It is a popular site for tourists who wish to go on a boating trip, with the beautiful Manupirua Hot Springs on the lake’s shore, which can be reached only by boat.

Lake Rotorua's northern shore in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand is 'the small lake', Lake Rotoiti. It is connected to Lake Rotorua via the Oahu Channel, which affected lake water quality in the 1960s. However, an improvement has been noticed with the construction of a safety barrier to prevent the nitrogen-rich water from entering Lake Rotoiti. With breathtaking views and beautiful sights, this lake is a tourist hotspot for boating experiences and kayak trips from the lake to the exquisite Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. The only way to these hot pools is through boats, and while on guided tours, you will be informed about the history of this place and the local Māori stories.

Exploring the Lake

If you want to experience the beauty here on foot, there is the Hinehopu or Hongi’s track which takes about 1.5 hours to complete. This 2.2-kilometre track is a walk through the native Māori forests and has a beach at Korokitewao Bay where the visitors can swim and relax. It further continues to a sacred space of the locals here, or one can take the other route to Lake Rotoehu.

Legend of Lake Rotoiti

Lake Rotoiti is also known as Te Rotoiti Ihenga which is Maori for "The Small Lake Discovered By Ihenga". This Maori explorer named this lake as such because he saw it as a small water body from the point where he observed it.
Lake Rotoiti is linked to Lake Rotorua by the Oahu Channel, and this connection had a significant impact on the waters of Lake Rotoiti with a rise in nitrogen level in the 1960s. It was in 2008 that a wall barrier was constructed to contain the nitrogen-rich water flowing from Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti, and this has subsequently improved the water quality here.

How To Reach Lake Rotoiti

This lake is about a half an hour drive away from the central city of Rotorua, therefore if you plan to take a car drive along State Highway 30 and State Highway 33 or via the Hamurana Road.