Lake Rotokakahi Trout Fishing

Rotokakahi means the lake of the shellfish "kakahi". While the Green Lake is now deserted and tapu, in days gone by it was heavily populated. The lake was known for its kakahi, an edible shellfish found in the lake's sandy bed. It is also famous for its island named Motutawa, the burial ground of many Māori ancestors.

Rotokakahi is privately owned by local iwi and considered tapu or sacred, with no swimming or boating permitted on the lake. A small island on the lake is also of historical significance, and many people are buried there.

Lake size: 440 ha
Catchment area: 1860 ha
Elevation: 394 m
Average depth: 17.5 m
Deepest point: 32 m
Formed: 13,300 years ago

Drains to Lake Tarawera via Te Wairoa Stream