The History of Lake Waikaremoana

Introduction You are in the midst of Te Urewera, the third largest National park in New Zealand, and the largest remaining tract of Native Forest in the North Island. The primeaval rain-forest is home to many native birds and remains today as virgin as it was in the 1840's, when Pioneer Missionary William Colenso traversed this remote homeland of Tuhoe, “Children of the Mist”. How the Lakes were Formed Visitors here can appreciate plant and animal life in its wild and virtually untouched state; wonder at the dramatic geological events that formed the lake; or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a day boating on the lake or walking in the bush. You can fill your day with activities or simply relax and energise the spirit. Whatever you choose to do, you will remember your time spent here.

The lake itself is a very new feature on a geological time-scale. Previous to its appearance, a very deep narrow gorge cut through the land-block which forms the highlands of Ngamoko and Panekiri. Some 2200 years ago a tremendous landslide rumbled down, probably as a result of a severe earthquake or possibly as a result of continued erosion. The landslide came down from the Ngamoko Ridge carrying millions of tons of fractured rock into the canyon. Across the canyon a huge pile of debris about 300 metres high came to rest. This vast dam enabled the rainwater to collect into a lake which as it rose gradually backed up the various branches of the former stream to form the many arms and inlets of present day Waikaremoana. As it rose and submerged the forested slopes the trees were killed, although the sturdy trunks of many of them remain standing today. When the lake is low, hundreds of them appear near or above the surface. Toward the end of the 18th century narrow strips of land bordering the lake were designated as bird sanctuaries. Trout and deer were introduced and a ranger was stationed here in Opourau (Home Bay). The Lake House, previously sited above the camp, was a popular Tourist Hotel Corporation hotel and was the end of the road from Wairoa until the road through to Rotorua was completed in 1930. The largest of the 3 hydro-electric stations, Tuai, was completed in 1929. The water released from this was impounded, in the man made lake Whakamarino, and by 1943 this was being used as a supply for the lowest station Piripaua. As work was completed there, the upper development at Kaitawa commenced. As much as possible of the leakage from Lake Waikaremoana had to be sealed off so that the flow of water could be regulated. Kaitawa commenced operation in 1948. The creation of Urewera National Park was announced on September 29th 1953.