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Situated 5 kilometres south west of Taradale in Hawkes Bay (N.Z.), and about 10k north of Hastings as the crow flies, lies Lake Te Rotokare, the property named Rotokare, and the pa site Oueroa, all with an important inter-related background.
 
Lake Te Rotokare lies in a small valley, at the head (south western end) of which is Oueroa Pa. This pa, is a pre European fortified area of habitation; and the earth works, middens and artefacts associated with that are found around the lake shoreline and on the close ridgetops.
 
A considerable amount of water is at present (Spring 2013) being diverted from the catchment area of the lake due to recent untoward earth-works, and this will quite likely bring the lake close to drying up over the summer.
 
This website is inspired by the desire to show the history and importance of the area and its wildlife, archaeology and other values, in the hope that common sense will prevail in the stead of the usual human trait that would destroy an Earthly inheritance and heritage, past and future, for the purpose of temporal gain.
 
It is best to use the Website_Directory to find your way around.