Lake Rotokakahi

Lake Rotokakahi or Green Lake, is one of four small lakes lying between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. The others are Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Lake Okareka, and Lake Okataina. All lie within the Okataina caldera, along its western edge. Named for its abundance of kakahi (freshwater mussels), it flows to Lake Tarawera via the Te Wairoa waterfalls. From the air the lake looks emerald green due to its shallow, sandy bottom. The lake is 1302 feet above sea level and 69 feet below the level of the neighbouring Lake Tikitapu. Rotokakahi remains under the authority of Te Arawa iwi, Tūhourangi, and remains largely undisturbed as it is considered to be tapu. This small island in the...