Developing a World-Class Lakefront
Rotorua’s lakefront is steeped in the history of Te Arawa and today forms the city’s civic soul.
As part of Council’s vision ,, the partnership with mana whenua Ngāti Whakaue and thanks to funding from Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, the lakefront has beendeveloped into a modern and fresh area that is a key destination for both locals and manuhiri (visitors).
The development of the Rotorua Lakefront binds the lake with the land, the past with the present and the physical with the unseen. It pays tribute to our collective histories and honours the intrinsic beauty of our place – Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe.
What this project involved
Together with our partners we have created a world-class lakefront that is uniquely Rotorua. There is more to explore, more space to run, play, and adventure, and more places to sit, relax, and reflect. The lakefront is a destination for family, friends, and visitors to enjoy.
This development included the removal of old buildings that were no longer safe or fit-for-purpose, enhancing the landscape so there are more places to play or sit and relax with friends and whānau, extending and enhancing the playground area, improving the lake edge and lake ecology, and constructing new car parks and public toilets. It also includes space for a commercial site where investors could establish restaurants, cafés, kiosks and ticketing offices so there are more options for entertainment and fun at the lakefront.
Masterplan
Connecting visitors with the lake, a wide timber boardwalk has been built along the existing lake edge and out over the water. It stretches across the bay, through the headlands, and then back out over the water again at each end. The boardwalk allows visitors to get closer to Lake Rotorua. The western end of the boardwalk provides opportunities for waka ama, access for boating and other recreational water sports, while the eastern end is a quiet and contemplative space where the natural lake edge can be enjoyed.
The Tukutuku bridges provide the access points to the boardwalk from the land. They functionally and metaphorically make the connection between place and whakapapa and represent waka resting on the shoreline. There are a number of bridges of different widths and lengths, made from a variety of materials. The bridges have been designed to be fully accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Entertainment
The Lakefront is home to two popular tourism activities:
It is also home to food and beverage operators as well as a venue for some of the city’s best events and festivals.
As part of the development there is also space for a commercial building to be constructed. This will be a private investment on a leased site at the reserve.
Lake Edge
Tracing the original shorelines and headlands of the lake, the terraces provide protection from changing lake water levels and weather damage. The terraces reduce the risk of erosion and reduce the amount of pavement maintenance required.
Made from concrete, the terraces also form pathways around the lakefront and provide additional access to the water’s edge. This allows for easy lake edge maintenance and weed management.
Lake Ecology
Lake Rotorua is a well-known habitat for kōura but prior to the lakefront development, the kōura habitat was limited due to excess silt and a lack of suitable cover (i.e., stones and rocks). The lakefront project provided an opportunity to significantly improve the habitat for kōura. This was well timed because catfish (predators of kōura) have recently been found in Lake Rotorua.
The design included nursery spaces that are well protected for baby kōura, who are the most vulnerable to catfish. During construction, silt and debris was removed and local ecologist and kōura scientist Dr Ian Kusabs, William Anaru (coordinator working to eradicate catfish from our lakes) and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust, worked with designers to create better habitats. The boardwalk also provides essential shade and places to hide away from predators. These improvements enhance the habitat quality and help kōura to thrive in this area once again.
Memorial Drive
A major aspect of the Lakefront Development was to create space for people and make it safer for those using the reserve for recreation. This meant removing Memorial Drive from the lakefront edge. The lakefront now has a large carpark called Memorial plaza,. Memorial Plaza provides space for a larger variety of parking including mobility, motorcycle and bicycle parking
Memorial Plaza has 77 parking spaces including a number of mobility and accessible spaces as well as a quick stop area near the public restrooms. The Plaza has also has also been designed so it can be used for other purposes such as events and parades.
Playgrounds
The Rotorua Lakefront has two playgrounds – one for older tamariki and one designed for toddlers and younger children.
The main playground was designed with input from local tamariki, incorporating their ideas into the final layout. Four workshops were held for young people to share their wishes for the play space and the common themes were turned into a reality. The flying box and large basket swing were both stand-out requests from the tamariki involved.
Playground features:
- Flying fox
- Bike and scooter paths
- Half basketball court
- Nature play
- Basket swing
- Sand play (toddler playground)
- Mini slides (toddler playground)
- Swing sets (suitable for older and younger children)
- BBQ and seating areas
Whare Waka
At the western end of the reserve near Lake Road, a new purpose-built Whare Waka was constructed to house a local taonga – the Te Arawa Waka Taua.
The building was designed by local architects DCA Architects in collaboration with Te Arawa artist and master carver Lyonel Grant, Te Arawa Waka Trust and BSK Consulting Engineers. It is a continuation of the cultural themes throughout the rest of the lakefront space.
The building’s glass walls allow lakefront visitors to fully view and connect with the Te Arawa taonga while also protecting the waka from the elements. The large glass doors at either end of the building also enable the waka to be transported out for use during cultural events.
The building’s orientation and location within the reserve gives prominence to the taonga, maintaining a view from the lake through to Tutanekai Street and Te Manawa, the heart of the city.
Why is this project important? – He aha te tino take o te hinonga?
Rotorua Lakes Council’s vision was to develop the lakefront into an outstanding recreational area that will benefit locals, support tourism, and encourage private investment, in turn creating new jobs and providing ongoing benefit to the Rotorua community.
This development celebrates our culture and community – it is uniquely Rotorua and distinctly different to any other lakefront in the world.
“This project has the potential to achieve transformational economic, social and cultural outcomes for our rohe (region) and people.”
Te Taru White, Chair, Te Tatau O Te Arawa
Plans to redevelop and enhance the Rotorua lakefront were considered since 2006, but were always hindered by cost and lack of critical partnerships. In 2018 Central Government recognised the untapped opportunity that is our lakefront and through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Provincial Growth Fund (now Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit), Council received $19.9 million to go exclusively towards developing our lakefront.
Timeline – Rārangi wā
The project was completed in stages to ensure parts of the lakefront were always accessible throughout construction and to ensure the commercial operators at the Lakefront could continue their operations. Council worked closely with lakefront commercial operators to schedule a programme of activations to ensure the area remained an enjoyable place to visit even during construction.
Lakefront construction stages
Stage 1
• Upgrade of main lakefront walkway, boardwalk and terracing.
Stage 2
- New playground, upgrade of existing playground to cater for all ages and new toilet block.
- Upgrade of streetscape along Tūtānekai St including parking, a widened footpath and veranda walkway.
- Grass terracing, cycle and walk way.
- New Memorial Plaza carpark.
Stage 3
- Main open space area and terracing around space set aside for commercial development.
- Upgrade of area west of the lakefront
- Whare Waka construction
Who has been part of the project development? – Nā wai te hinonga i whakarite?
A partnership approach is essential to the development of the lakefront as the land is an important part of the Ngāti Whakaue gifting under the Fenton Agreement.
The links between the reserve and the lake are critical and Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT) are the owners of the lakebed. Te Arawa has a longstanding physical and spiritual connection to the Te Arawa lakes since settling in the rohe.
“Our Te Arawa Lakes are indeed an attraction for locals and tourists alike and we are pleased that under the leadership of the Rotorua Lakes Council we will see developments that will showcase Lake Rotorua, our community, our natural habitats and our culture.”
Sir Toby Curtis, Te Arawa Lakes Trust
With our partners Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT), the lakefront design was guided by both Rotorua Lakes Council’s steering group and a project advisory group and with support from Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust, the Gifted Reserves Committee and Te Kōmiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue.
Two guiding principles were developed by TALT to provide a ‘bridge’ between the conceptual components of Te Whakapapa o Te Wai and the tangible outcomes of the waterfront design.
Value the role that TALT and Te Arawa have to play regarding the Te Arawa Lakes
• Te Arawa are kaitiaki/hunga tiaki of the mauri of the Te Arawa lakes
• The project incorporates Mātauranga Māori
Value Te Ao Māori
- Reconnecting people to the Te Arawa lakes to instil a greater sense of collective responsibility
- Restoring connections and relationships
- Providing a place for healing, cleansing and inspiration
- Creating a place to swim, paddle and gather kai
- The development of tools and indicators to align or bridge Māori and western worldviews
- Connection with the beautiful historic settlement of Ōhinemutu and heritage sites in and around the reserve
- Historical accounts and associations with the lakes, as expressed through waiata (song), pepeha (tribal sayings), ngā ingoa (place names), pakiwaitara (stories) and whakataukī (proverbs).
The design team tested and aligned plans against these principles. There was particular awareness of the role of TALT as hunga tiaki for Lake Rotorua and the team had a clear understanding of the importance of the lake’s wellbeing for future generations. A specific cultural design and engagement process was developed for the project. The cultural design process involved direct and open engagement with the identified hapū, iwi and representative groups who hold the mana whenua and/or mandated responsibility for the lakefront.
