Lake Tekapo (town)
Lake Tekapo
Māori: Takapō | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
Interactive map of Lake Tekapo | |
| Coordinates: 44°00′18″S 170°28′39″E / 44.005°S 170.4775°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Mackenzie District |
| Ward | Tekapo Ward |
| Community | Tekapo Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Mackenzie District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Mackenzie | Scott Aronsen |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.19 km2 (1.62 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Total | 620 |
| • Density | 150/km2 (380/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 7999 |
Lake Tekapo (often known simply as Tekapo (Māori: Takapō) to avoid confusion with the lake itself) is a small township located at the southern end of the lake of the same name in the inland South Island of New Zealand. It had 558 residents according to the 2018 census, being one of five settlements in the sparsely populated Mackenzie Basin.
State Highway 8 runs directly through the township – 227 kilometres (141 mi) from Christchurch and 256 kilometres (159 mi) from Queenstown. Daily shuttle services link Lake Tekapo to Christchurch and Queenstown. The lake is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are located at the township. Lake Tekapo Airport is located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the town where local tourism operator Air Safaris is based. Twizel lies 60 km (39 minutes drive) south of Lake Tekapo via Lake Pukaki and Burkes Pass lies 21 km (15 minutes drive) west along State Highway 8.