Okere Falls
Okere Falls | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Kayaker at Okere Falls, with the remains of the powerhouse visible in the lower right | |
Interactive map of Okere Falls | |
| Coordinates: 38°00.86′S 176°20.73′E / 38.01433°S 176.34550°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Rotorua Lakes District |
| Ward | Te Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward |
| Community | Rotorua Lakes Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Rotorua Lakes Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Rotorua | Tania Tapsell |
| • Rotorua MP | Todd McClay |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.68 km2 (0.65 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Total | 370 |
| • Density | 220/km2 (570/sq mi) |
Okere Falls is a small town located 21 km from Rotorua on SH 33 between Rotorua and Tauranga on the North Island of New Zealand. The town is situated on the shore of the Okere Inlet of Lake Rotoiti, from which the Kaituna River flows north towards the Bay of Plenty.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of drifting" for Ōkere.
Okere Falls is a popular spot for fishing and rafting and is known for its lakeside and waterfalls. There are commercial rafting companies and holiday park accommodation within the town. A seven-metre-high waterfall lays claim to being the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.
The community at Okere Falls is home to a shop, and a school at Whangamarino.