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. 

Lakes District tourist attraction
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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.

Lakes

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
Lakes Team 675x449

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

 

Craters Bike Park Have You Ever Miles Holden 2

Local Information

Rental agencies

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

new zealand family on the beach L574 Kerosene Creek Rotorua Vaughan Brookfield

Relocating to the Lakes District

Need some help with settling in? Use our settlement booklet as a handy guide to refer back to any time so you can feel right at home in Aotearoa in no time. 

Download the settlement booklet

Take the next step

Made the decision to move to Aotearoa, New Zealand? Fill out our five-minute form with your details, and we'll match you to your preferred location based on your experience and preferences.

Photo credit: Mead Norton

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