West Kaihoka Lake / Whupa

Depth:
13.7 metres
Area:
5.3 hectares
Lake ID:
4379
Main vegetation type:
Indigenous Forest
Golden Bay
40° 33' 13" S
172° 35' 55" E
Coastal

Iwi / representative groups:

  • Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust
    • Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui
      • Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua

        Description

        Whupa (West Kaihoka Lake) is one of a pair of remote lakes 10km south of the base of Farewell Spit (Golden Bay) known as the Kaihoka Lakes.  They were formed by the landward advance of large sand dunes obstructing the outlets of small valleys and are spring fed. The lakes border a scenic reserve managed by the Department of Conservation and are among the least modified shallow coastal lakes in New Zealand.

        Sediment Core