Rotorua has a rich history as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s key tourism destinations, a title that our community has been proud to hold for many generations. Our unique natural environment and Māori culture are fundamental to the experience for anyone who visits Rotorua and are the two main features that influenced the physical transformation of the Rotorua Lakefront.
After a decade of considering how to transform the lakefront, planning, consultation and investigation, in 2018 Rotorua Lakes Council (council) successfully partnered with central Government to invest $41m into the total redevelopment of the lakefront reserve. Creating a modern and immersive visitor experience for both locals and visitors, it was the largest scale investment in public space in the city’s history.
To Rotorua Lakes Council, iwi partners, commercial operators and the wider community, the redevelopment of the Rotorua Lakefront was an essential step towards unlocking the city’s potential and reclaiming our identity as a top tourism destination in New Zealand.
Through existing and new partnerships, Rotorua Lakes Council worked hard to deliver a world-class destination that will benefit locals, support regional and national tourism, and encourage private investment, in turn creating ongoing pride and prosperity for the people of Rotorua.
