Lake Rotomanu

10/12/2025

Lake Rotomanu will be emptied this week to allow scientists to get a clear picture of the extent of the freshwater gold clam infestation.

The outlet will be opened tomorrow (Thurs, 11 Dec) and it will take about four days for the lake to drain. The fish population will be harvested in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti, who will use as many as possible so they do not go to waste.

Earth Sciences NZ will next week carry out a detailed delimiting survey of the lakebed to determine where and how widespread the clams are, how deep they have burrowed and the age of the clams present.

That information will help inform the next steps, whether an elimination attempt is feasible and what the cost of each treatment option would be. At this stage it is unclear who would fund this.

The lake will be closed for the summer. We know that’s disappointing as it’s such a great spot, but that’s exactly why we are doing this – to protect this lake and other Taranaki waterways into the future.

The gold clam is a massive threat to our infrastructure, economy and recreational use of all the region’s waterways, so we need to act now to give ourselves the best chance of preventing long-term damage or restrictions.

Link in comments to full story and FAQs 👇

05/12/2025

11/11/2025

Not the start to summer we want. Inspecting and cleaning all water equipment before entering lakes or rivers and after being in the water is crucial.

Lake Rotomanu will be closed to motorised watercraft from tomorrow (12 Nov), following the discovery of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea.

Here's what you need to know 👇

* As an interim measure, New Plymouth District Council will close Lake Rotomanu to motorised boats, which are at the highest risk of spreading clams.
* Other recreational users will be required to thoroughly check, clean and dry all gear before leaving the lake shore.
* The road access and carparks will remain open.
* Surveys are being carried out this week, checking for clams in the nearby Waiwhakaiho River as well as other lakes across Taranaki.
* Once those results are available, further decisions will be made as to how to manage the incursion and what, if any, restrictions will remain in place. We will keep you informed.

This is the first discovery of the clam in New Zealand outside of the Waikato River and Lake Taupō Aqua Park. We’re disappointed that the clam has made its way to Taranaki, as we had been working hard to keep it out. But our focus now is on working with Biosecurity New Zealand and local partners to ensure it does not spread into other Taranaki lakes or rivers.

We appreciate it is coming into summer and the lake is a favourite spot for many boaties. But you will understand how important it is we act quickly – Corbicula can take over a waterway and have long-term effects on recreation and the environment.

We are asking for your support. Whether it’s Lake Rotomanu or any other waterway, it's more important than ever you check, clean and dry everything that has been in contact with the water before moving between waterways.

19/10/2024

For those that don’t already know, the lake is full and open again 😁

23/01/2022

The fantastic summer we are having please be aware of the current Recrecational Water Quality for Lake Rotomanu. The lake is currently sitting in the orange zone, ‘No Swimming or Food Gathering’ is recommended for health and safety reasons. For more information please contact NPDC 067596060

22/05/2021

Those who didn’t know, Lake Rotomanu is full and now…

17/05/2021

Not cool! 🙃
Over the weekend vandals have attacked a pohutukawa tree on the banks of Lake Rotomanu with a chainsaw.

Fixing vandalism that occurred in our parks last year cost us the rate payers $40,000.

Police are looking into it, if you can help them get in touch 📱👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♂️ 105

Most of the tree’s large branches were cut and left in the lake’s water during the weekend and the police have been notified.