The tiny NZ lake making waves across the world
A tiny lake on a remote island on Lake Wa¯naka is experiencing a big boost in international attention thanks to a recent feature for BBC Travel.
Entitled New Zealand’s secret lake most Kiwis don’t know, the article is glowing in its praise of Mou Waho Island and Arethusa Pool, a freshwater tarn 150m above Lake Wa¯naka.
The article’s author, Briar Jensen, said that ‘‘in a country . . . renowned for epic views, this is up there with the best’’.
Described as a ‘‘crown jewel on an isolated predator- and pest-free reserve’’, Arethusa Pool has ‘‘two tiny rocky islands, resembling bonsai landscapes, adorned the lake like the upper-most decorations on a tiered wedding cake – for they are islands in a lake, on an island in a lake, on an island in the ocean’’.
It’s not just the ‘‘breathtaking vistas’’ which are the focus of the feature, it’s the wildlife and conservation efforts to protect and maintain the island. After the eradication of predators including rats and weasels from Mou Waho, the introduction of buff weka has seen the native land bird species thrive.
The article features local company Eco Wa¯naka Adventures, run by Chris Riley and Lee Eadie. They admit they appreciate the worldwide promotion.
‘‘We had had quite a bit to do with the information contained in the article and had quite a lot of correspondence with the journalist to assist with researching and photos,’’ said Eadie. ‘‘We also contacted a number of former DOC staff for the journalist to consult as well as insect specialists. When the article came out we were delighted as it is a great overview of the island and its history, and it is well researched and correct in its details.’’
Once covered in mata¯ı and to¯ tora, the island’s native vegetation was devastated by deforestation, sheep grazing and wildfires. Over recent years, DOC has been removing the varieties of exotic trees including wilding pines.
‘‘This regenerating vegetation is also assisting with the return of birdlife to the island now that more food trees are becoming available for them, so overall it is great to see the island just getting better and better,’’ said Eadie, whose company plants a tree for every tour of the island.
Mou Waho is also home to a particularly special native insect.
The mountain stone we¯ta¯ can freeze down to minus 10 degrees Celsius for weeks and survive. It had largely been wiped out at low altitudes thanks to predators, but has been successfully introduced to the island.
‘‘Our company has organised, in conjunction with DOC, for 40 we¯ta¯ motels to be made by the local Mt Aspiring College woodwork
students to house these we¯ta¯ to help to maintain the population,’’ said Eadie. ‘‘These are well utilised by both we¯ta¯ and the geckos that live on the island. Once the current outbreak of Covid eases, we can distribute these new motels around the island.’’
Riley and Eadie hoped the BBC article would help generate publicity for their tour company.
Close to 95 per cent of bookings pre-Covid came from overseas visitors.
‘‘We tend to get long lead in times with these types of articles,’’ said Riley. ‘‘People appear to book some time in the future after they have read such an article that sparks their interest. So we are hopeful . . . that this article will generate more bookings for us.’’