Lakes
The Lakes District is well known for its geothermal activity and natural hot springs. The area is located in the central North Island and is home to many geothermal attractions, such as geysers, hot mud pools, and steam vents. Visitors can also relax in the region's natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties.

Te Whatu Ora | Lakes
Te Whatu Ora Lakes serves a population of just over 110,000 and covers 9,570 square kilometres. It stretches from Mourea, north of Rotorua, to Mangakino in the west down to Tūrangi in the south and across to Kaingaroa village in the east. The major centres of population are Rotorua and Taupō and the main smaller communities are Mangakino and Turangi.
The principal iwi (Māori tribal groups) in the Lakes district are Te Arawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. A significant number of Māori living here affiliate to iwi outside the district.
There are two territorial local authorities within Te Whatu Ora Lakes boundaries – Rotorua Lakes and Taupō.
The Lakes Region
Lakes is known for its geothermal attractions. Rotorua and Taupo offer many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and water sports, as well as cultural experiences that showcase the region's Māori heritage. The region is also home to several scenic lakes, including Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand and a popular destination for fishing and water activities.
Lakes is located in the central North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Rotorua is located approximately 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of Auckland, while Taupo is located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Rotorua.

Hospitals and Health Services
Te Whatu Ora Lakes is responsible for the provision (or funding the provision) of the majority of health services in the Lakes district.
These services in our district include:
- Two hospital sites (Rotorua and Taupō)
- Nine continuing care facilities – in addition we have one Hospital Specialist Services – Psychogeriatric Unit
- One mental health inpatient facility
- Four community bases for mental health (iCAMHS (Infant, Child and Adolescent): Adult community at Rotorua and Taupō; and Mental Health Service for Older People Rotorua
- 14 aged related residential care facilities (rest homes)
- 18 pharmacies (11 Rotorua, 6 Taupō, 1 Tūrangi)
- 21 GP practices (5 Taupō/Tūrangi/Mangakino and 16 Rotorua)
- 12 Māori providers, one of which also looks after Pacific interests
- Two primary health organisations

Health Services
Here's a list of services in alphabetical order offered in the district.
Services A to I
Acute Pain Service |
Acute Response Team |
Anaesthesia |
Audiology |
Bowel Screening |
Breast Screening |
Cancer Care Nurses |
Cardiology |
Chemotherapy and Medical Day Stay |
Child Development Team |
Child Protection |
Children's Health Hub - Te Aka Mauri |
Children's Outreach Nursing Service |
Children's Services |
Children's Unit |
Clinical Physiology |
Continence Service |
Covid Vaccination in the Rotorua and Taupō districts |
Day Stay Unit |
Delirium |
Dental Services |
Dermatology |
Diabetes |
District Nursing |
Ear Nurse Specialists |
Emergency Department (Rotorua) |
Endoscopy |
Gastroenterology |
Gynaecology |
HIV Service |
Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (iCAMHS) |
Infectious Diseases |
Intensive Care |
Services J to Z
Kia Wana Lakes Baby Breastfeeding Support |
Maternity Services |
Mental Health and Addictions Service |
Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) |
Needs Assessment Service Co-Ordination (NASC) |
Newborn Hearing Screening Programme |
Occupational Therapy |
Older Person & Rehabilitation Service |
Oncology |
Physiotherapy |
Pokapū o te Taiwhenua Network - Digital health access |
Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic |
Primary Mental Health Intervention Service (PRIMHIS) |
Public Health Nurses and Screening |
Radiology |
Renal Satellite Dialysis Unit |
Ruia Te Hua Oranga: Southern Lakes Adult MHAS |
Sexual Assault Assessment and Treatment Services |
Sexual Health - Rangiora Clinic |
Social Work |
Sore Throats |
Special Care Baby Unit |
Speech Language Therapy |
Suicide - Info for Family and Friends |
Te Ngako Rotorua (adult MHAS) |
Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue Mental Health Inpatient Unit |

Local Information
Rental agencies
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For short-term stays |
Getting around
- Baybus operates buses in Rotorua. There are a variety of bus options in Taupō.
- Rotorua and Taupō are laid out to encourage the use of bicycles or cars.
- Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also available as well as rental vehicles.
Photo credit: Miles Holden


Relocating to the Lakes District
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