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Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo is our biggest natural lake and is treasured by New Zealanders. However water quality in the lake is declining due to increased concentrations of nitrogen leaching from the surrounding land. The result is increased algal growth and decreased water clarity.

A significant Government commitment to preserving Lake Taupo for the future was made in 2007. The Government, with Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council, committed almost $82 million over 15 years to reduce nitrogen inputs to the lake, with the aim of protecting water quality and clarity. Ngati Tuwharetoa, as kaitiaki of the Lake, are also partners in the project.

The Lake Taupo Protection Trust is charged with developing a programme of work between 2007 and 2022 that will reduce the amount of manageable nitrogen flowing into the lake by 20 per cent.

More detailed information can be found in this information sheet outlining the Ministry's work to maintain and protect Lake Taupo.

Further information

  • See the fresh water page for related reports, policies, regulations, projects, partnerships, guidelines and tools about fresh water.
  • For a full list of publications relating to water refer to the water publications page.

Last modified: 25 November 2008