The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group is the overarching team responsible for management of the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes. We’re made up of elected representatives from Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Rotorua Lakes Council, with support from the Ministry for the Environment.
We work hand in hand to protect and restore water quality in 12 Rotorua Te Arawa lakes for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Our lakes are a national treasure, and our strategy provides an overall management plan outlining our vision for the future, with practical steps to achieve that vision.
Over the years our vision has remained, but many other things have changed. We refreshed our strategy with input from the community including workshops and meetings to capture what locals want for their lakes. The lakes are one of New Zealand’s most important environmental, cultural and economic assets – now is the time to secure their future.
The lakes of the Rotorua district and their catchments are preserved and protected for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations, while recognising and providing for the traditional relationship of Te Arawa with their ancestral lakes.
Matakite: E tiakina ana, e manaakitia ana hoki ngā roto o te rohe o Te Arawa hei painga mō tātau me ngā whakatipuranga e ara mai nei, ā, me te aro anō ki te hononga tuku iho o Te Arawa ki ō rātau roto
Te Arawa Lakes TrustRepresent iwi. Te Arawa has mana whenua as the owner of the lakebeds and provides cultural advice on all aspects of the lakes
Aid in the protection of the cultural identity of Te Arawa people and their lakes
Ensure the cultural identity wairua, tikanga and kawa of the Te Arawa people is invested in the strategy to improve the lakes of the Rotorua District
Protect the mauri of the lakes
Ensure meaningful and binding working relationships with iwi/hapu and their ancestral land
Rotorua Lakes CouncilAdminister the relevant sections of the Resource Management Act 1991
Provide and maintain sewerage and stormwater discharge infrastructure
Plan for and manage land uses within the lake catchments
Contribute to funding to help improve the health of Rotorua lakes in association with the Crown and Regional Council
Bay of Plenty Regional CouncilImplement the Strategy for the Lakes of the Rotorua District
Administer the relevant sections of the Resource Management Act 1991
Implement the Rotorua Lakes Recreation Strategy and Regional Pest Management Plan
Implement the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme through operational objectives
Contribute to funding to help improve the health of Rotorua lakes in association with the Crown and District Council
Improving water quality in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes is only possible through funding.
The Ministry for the Environment has committed $72.1m in a Deed of Funding arrangement for the four priority lakes – Rotorua, Rotoehu, Rotoiti and Okareka.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council matched this funding with $72.1m for these four lakes, with additional funding for the protection and restoration of the other eight lakes.
Operational decisions on the management of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme are made at the Partnership Steering Group.
This group meets monthly and is made up of senior managers from the three partner organisations and the Ministry for the Environment.
