Lake Omapere gets $3 million boost to tackle algal bloom

An ambitious project to restore Northland's largest - and most polluted - lake has received a $3 million boost from the government's Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones made the announcement at Lake Ōmāpere, just north of Kaikohe, on Wednesday afternoon.

He said the project would "go a long way" towards improving Northland's water and economic resilience while also restoring the lake's health.

The 1200-hectare lake was once regarded as the food bowl of Ngāpuhi for its vast numbers of eels and freshwater mussels.

However, deforestation in the 1800s, followed by expansion of farming, triggered a steady decline in water quality.

Since the 1980s the lake, which is little more than two metres deep, has been blighted by regular algal blooms, killing aquatic life and making the water unusable for drinking, recreation or irrigation.

Jones said local communities had long regarded Lake Ōmāpere as a taonga.

"Restoring the lake's health is about honouring that connection while supporting communities, businesses and future development. This investment is an important step towards realising that long-term vision."

Associate Minister Mark Patterson said a reliable water supply was critical if Northland was to remain productive during dry periods.

"By helping advance this project, we're supporting the long-term resilience of the region and its ability to respond to future water challenges, as well as helping revive a precious taonga," he said.

"A healthy Lake Ōmāpere has the potential to support local communities by enabling strengthened food production and creating opportunities for Māori economic development."

The first stage of the project was expected to cost around $5.9m with funding from multiple partners.

Called He wai ora, he iwi ora (If the water is well, the people are well), the project is led by Lake Ōmāpere GP Limited on behalf of the Lake Ōmāpere Trust.

Northland MP Grant McCallum said the $3 million investment was "fantastic news" for Northland.

He said Lake Ōmāpere Trust chair Marise Stuart, the trustees and locals had worked tirelessly for many years.

"Their commitment to restoring this precious lake and securing a better future for their community deserves real recognition."

McCallum said the trust's wider restoration vision included sediment traps, riparian planting, wetland restoration and addressing decades of sediment build-up.

"This isn't just about restoring the lake's water quality. It's about bringing back an ecosystem that once supported local families, strengthening Northland's water resilience and opening up future economic opportunities," he said.