Lake Waikareiti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Waikareiti |
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 Lake Waikareiti
Location in North Island
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| Location | Wairoa District, Hawke's Bay region, North Island |
| Coordinates | 38°42′36″S 177°10′26″E / 38.710°S 177.174°E |
| Primary outflows | Aniwaniwa Stream |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Surface elevation | 880 m (2,890 ft) |
| Islands | Rahui |
Lake Waikareiti, sometimes spelled Lake Waikare Iti, is a beautiful lake located in the Te Urewera National Park. You can find it on the North Island of New Zealand. Many fun hiking trails are located around the lake, making it a great place to explore!
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How Lake Waikareiti Was Formed
Lake Waikareiti was created about 18,000 years ago. This happened after a huge landslide where a piece of land, about 10 kilometers wide, slid to the northwest. This natural event helped shape the landscape and create the lake we see today.
Location and Water Flow
Lake Waikareiti is about four kilometers northeast of a much bigger lake called Lake Waikaremoana. Water from Lake Waikareiti flows into Lake Waikaremoana through a stream called the Aniwaniwa Stream.
The surface of Lake Waikareiti is very high up, at 880 meters (about 2,887 feet) above sea level. This is much higher than Lake Waikaremoana! Because of this big difference in height, the Aniwaniwa Stream creates several amazing waterfalls as it flows downhill. Some of these beautiful waterfalls include the Aniwaniwa Falls and the Papakorito Falls.
Islands and Unique Features
Lake Waikareiti has several small islands. One of these islands is called Rahui. What's super cool about Rahui is that it has its own tiny lake right on it! This makes it one of the very few "lakes within lakes" in all of New Zealand. It's a truly special and rare natural wonder.
Plants and Animals of Lake Waikareiti
The area around Lake Waikareiti is full of different kinds of plants and animals. It's a rich natural habitat!
Amazing Plant Life
Many types of plants grow in the area around the lake. One common plant you might see is the crown fern (Blechnum discolor). This fern often grows as an "understory plant," meaning it grows beneath taller trees and shrubs. The park's diverse plant life helps support all the animals that live there.
Wonderful Wildlife
The Te Urewera National Park is home to many birds found on the North Island. You can spot a wide variety of feathered friends here. However, one bird you won't find in this national park is the weka. The weka is a flightless bird native to New Zealand, but it's not present in this specific area.
What Does Waikareiti Mean?
The name "Waikareiti" comes from the Māori language. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage explains that "Waikareiti" means "little waters." This name perfectly describes the lake, especially when compared to its larger neighbor, Lake Waikaremoana.
