Protecting Lake Taupo: the strategy and the lessons

Abstract

The 'Protecting Lake Taupo' project is the largest environmental protection project of its type in New Zealand. The Waikato Regional council (Environment Waikato) charged with protecting the lake, sought to vary the regional plan to address and regulate land use activities affecting the quality and clarity of Lake Taupo. This research paper looks briefly at the history and development of the protection of the lake, but predominantly covers the emergence of the protection strategy - the past 8-9 years and what can be learned from that.