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Lake Tekapo in Canterbury Region, South Island of New Zealand. Photo By Krzysztof Golik –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo, Takapo meaning to leave haste at night, is a freshwater lake found in Mackenzie District (Canterbury Region) on the South Island of New Zealand. It forms part of the 4 lakes that run from North to South to make up the Mackenzie Basin.

Lake Tekapo is surrounded by the Two Thumb Ranges on the east, Mount John on the west, Lake Alexandrina to the north, Cowans Hills to the south, and Mistake Peak facing towards the lake. The average water temperature goes to as low as 5.8⁰c and a high of 17⁰c in January.

1. Lake Tekapo is The Third Largest Lake in The Mackenzie Basin

Mackenzie Basin, Te Manahuna, is located in the Mackenzie and Waitaki Districts. It was named after James Mckenzie, a shepherd of Scottish origin. Before becoming a tourist destination, the basin was famous for sheep rearing.

The largest lake in the basin is Lake Alexandrina (640 ha), followed by Lake Pukaki (178.7 km²). Lake Tekapo is in third place with a total area of 83km² and finally Lake Ohau in fourth (60km²).  

The area is sparsely populated with the Lake Tekapo settlement having less than 500 residences. The landscape is dotted with glacial lakes such as Lake Pukaki, Tekapo, Alexandrina, and Ohau, and snow-capped mountains.

2. The Main Source of Water is The Southern Alps

Two Thumb Range, Canterbury, New Zealand. Photo By Michal Klajban –

Lake Tekapo has 2 major rivers draining into it from the north, the Godley River and the Macaulay River. These two rivers have their main tributaries north of the Southern Alps. The distinctive light turquoise colour of the Lake is a result of the melting snow from the Southern Alps.

Godley River has a network of river channels with its headwater at Mount Cook National Park. Macaulay river flows from the Two Thumb Ranges in the Southern Alps.

From the west, the Mistake River and the Cass River drain into Lake Tekapo. The two rivers get their water from the Hall Ranges.

3. The Maori Believe Lake Tekapo Was Dug Out By Rakaihautu

The MacKenzie District Council announced that Lake Tekapo would also be referred to as Takapo, the te reo Maori name for the lake. The Maori are the second largest ethnic group in New Zealand.

The Maori believe that the lakes on the South Island were dug by Rakaihautu during his exploration after his arrival in Urua waka, Nelson. The Waitaha explorer divided his people into two groups. Rakihouia, his son, led one group to the east coast of South Island while he proceeded to the middle of the island.

The principal Maori, Ngai Tahu would pay a visit to Lake Tekapo and Lake Alexandria for the gathering of food (eels and weka) that would be stocked and preserved for the cold winter season when food was scarce.

4.  Motuariki Island is in The Middle of Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo Motuariki Island, New Zealand. Photo By Paul Carmona –

Motuariki Island is named after the Arai-te-uru ancestor, Motuariki. It is believed that the waka (Maori canoe) capsized on the Otago coastline near Shag Point. The passengers on board decided to explore the lands and when daylight came, many of them didn’t make it back to the waka.

Motuariki was among those left behind and legend has it he was transformed into an island in the middle of the lake.

5. It is One of The Sunniest Places In New Zealand

Lake Tekapo has an average of six and a half sunshine hours daily making it one of the sunniest places in New Zealand. On a cloudless day, the snow-capped peaks of Mount Cook are visible from Lake Tekapo.

6. Lake Tekapo Town is a Popular Tourist Destination

At Lake Tekapo, tourists get to enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, and cross-country skiing. Swimming is allowed on the shallow eastern edges of the lake. Despite boating being allowed, there are speed restriction zones.

Lake Tekapo town is flooded with snowboarders and skiers during the winter season. The town is the nearest to Roundhill and Mount Dobson ski fields.  

7. It is Part of Lake Tekapo Regional Park

Lake Tekapo Regional Park is on the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo.  It has been under the administration of the Environmental Canterbury Regional Council since 1989. It first began as a soil conservation reserve but now its beautiful landscape is covered by conifers trees.

The park has a 24 km shared-use track that is good for walking, mountain biking, and running.  

8. Lake Tekapo is Part of  Hydro Power Scheme

Control Center Waitaki Hydro Scheme Canterbury New Zealand, Photo By Ulrich Lange, Bochum –

The Waitaki Hydro Scheme has 8 power stations that run from Lake Tekapo all through to Lake Waitaki. The scheme was started as a result of the high demand for power supply on South Island.

After the New Zealand government realized the potential of Waitaki Valley to produce electricity, they began working on the first station in the 1920s.

Before joining the Pukaki River, the Tekapo River originally flowed southwest from the southern end of Lake Tekapo. The Waitaki Hydroelectric Scheme used a canal to divert the water from Lake Tekapo into Lake Pukaki. Most of Lake Tekapo’s outflow is now carried by the canal.

9. It is Part of The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve (DSP)

Mount John University Observatory (MJUO), New Zealand’s premier astronomical research observatory. Photo By Bernard Spragg. NZ –

A dark sky reserve is a designated area that prohibits the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light. It promotes astronomy and protects environmental history since a dark sky is associated with mathematics, science, societal development, and many facets of history.

In June 2012, Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin were designated as Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark Sky Association.

The University of Canterbury’s Mount John University Observatory is located in Mackenzie Basin. With the growth of astro-tourism ventures, astronomy-related tourism will be an increasing contributor to the area’s economy.

10. The Southern End of Lake Tekapo is Ran By National Highway 

State Highway 8 forms the loop through Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago. It is one of the eight national highways in New Zealand. From the town of Fairlie, SH8 heads westwards and passes the southern end of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki.