The story of Lake Rotorua
By Isthmus
Lake Rotorua is a taonga - a highly prized natural resource - for those that live on its shores, the city that has grown along its edge, and the nation treasures it as a destination.
Building on the 2012 Rotorua Lakefront Development Framework (by Wraight & Associates), Isthmus was commissioned to produce an ambitious master plan that would tell Rotorua’s stories and presents its unique cultural identity in a high-quality environment, on a par with other internationally renowned waterfronts.
A new relationship with the lake edge is under construction for future generations, a relationship that respects the lake and enhances the wairua and mauri of this shared cultural landscape.
The master plan helped to secure significant funding from the Provincial Growth Fund. The $40 million Lakefront revitalisation project is an important, multi-year project intended to ensure ongoing progress towards Rotorua’s 2030 vision. As one of the Rotorua Lakes Council’s “5 Big Moves” the development is focused on creating a world-class lakefront experience, a destination that enhances both the land and the lake.
All the design elements of the project have been developed in consultation with Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa Lakes Trust, guided by both Rotorua Lakes Council’s steering group and a project advisory group alongside the team’s cultural design coordinator Karl Johnstone. The lakefront redevelopment reflects a shared vision that is enriched by the generosity of shared knowledge, where Isthmus’s role has been to listen and “give form to” the key principles provided.
The master plan has developed a narrative unique to, and reflective of Rotorua, and creates opportunities for future commercial development. The connection between land and water is re-established through both formal and informal lake edge conditions. This allows the public to reengage with the water and access the lake for recreation while clearing away the clutter of sheds to simplify the edge and reveal the significance of Mokoia Island.
The design team acknowledges mana taonga—the authority residing in the tangible and intangible elements which hold intrinsic and extrinsic cultural value. This includes kōrero-a-iwi and mātauranga-a-iwi, physical sites and material elements and culture which acknowledge or connect with the people of the place or their ancestors. We also acknowledge the importance of mauri and are clear on the connection of this essence between the environment and the wellbeing of people and have strived to ensure mauri is enhanced as the kaupapa is developed.
The old brick lake edge path has been replaced by a 5m wide timber boardwalk that arcs across the bay, joining headland to headland and sweeping out to terminate in the lake at each end. Movement patterns along the boardwalk echo the koura’s migration along the bay below the water.
Each end of the boardwalk offers a distinct experience; the western end is active, providing opportunity for waka ama and other recreational water sports, including swimming. The eastern end is a more reflective space that celebrates natural lake character.
Light bridge structures float over the gap between the terraced shoreline and boardwalk and are reminiscent of waka resting on the shore.
A series of bridges, Te Ara Tukutuku—the pathway of waka, provide access to the boardwalk from the surrounding landscape, creating a functional and metaphorical connection between place and whakapapa. Te Ara Tukutuku connect to the water, offering space for sitting and play, observation, and interpretation.
On their land side artworks are in development with the local iwi; these vertical elements express the connection to the old lakebed location, standing in the land that once was water.
Construction of the entire lakefront development will be completed across several stages to ensure that parts of the Lakefront Reserve always remain accessible. It should all be completed by the end of next year.