The Lakes

The Parangarahu Lakes area is the home to two lakes, the secluded inland Lake Kohangapiripiri and Lake Kohangatera which is closer to the coast.

Both lakes are dammed by gravel and sand banks that are old earthquake raised beaches.

The lakes were once popular eeling grounds for Taranaki Whānui, but there are not many eels there today. They are now jointly managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) as part of the Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve, and the aim is to restore fish habitat and migratory paths to support the return of eels to the lake.

Note: do not swim in either of the lakes.