Lake Ferry

Lake Ferry is a small coastal settlement in Palliser Bay, on the southern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is in the South Wairarapa District, located 35 kilometres (22 mi) south-west of Martinborough, on the eastern shore of Lake Ōnoke. The coast is a popular fishing location and the settlement is a mixture of permanent and holiday homes, and a camping ground. There is a historic hotel close to the sea coast at the point where Lake Ōnoke flows into Palliser Bay. The name of the settlement and the hotel arises from a ferry service that previously operated across the lake outlet.[1][2]

Lake Ferry
View towards Remutaka Range from Lake Ferry hotel
View towards Remutaka Range from Lake Ferry hotel
Coordinates: 41.39421°S 175.14374°E / -41.39421; 175.14374
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington
Territorial authoritySouth Wairarapa
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Area code04

The ferry service was established following a drowning in 1850. The ferry operator established the Lake Ferry hotel in 1851 to supplement his income.[1]

The ocean outlet of Lake Ōnoke is frequently closed by natural wave action on the beach, and this can lead to rising water levels in the lake. Natural forces can lead to the opening of the lake outlet, but historically, the lake levels have been controlled by excavating a channel through the beach to the sea, to limit flooding of properties around the lake.[3][4]

The outlet of Lake Ōnoke is known as a dangerous location for fishing, and there have been several drownings.[5][6]

In 1997, local ratepayers requested that the South Wairarapa District Council investigate the provision of a community sewerage system, to avoid problems being experienced with contamination caused by septic tanks.[7] A commitment was finally made in 2003, after central government agreed to contribute $200,000 towards the costs.[8] In July 2020, the wastewater system that was built to serve the settlement was damaged during forestry operations, and residents were required to restrict wastewater for two days. The system uses discharge to a field. No discharge to waterways was reported. The estimated cost of repairs was $327,000.[9]

In June 2023, the South Wairarapa District Council purchased the Lake Ferry campground from the previous lease-holder who had managed the holiday park since 2002. The council had declined to renew a campground licence because of claimed non-compliances with regulations, and then declined to renew the lease.[10] A new operator, Kiwicamp, was engaged to take over for a 12 month term.[11] The council budgetted $209,000 to upgrade the holiday park and address existing non-compliances.[12]

  • Lake Ferry
  • Ti kouka at Lake Ferry
    Ti kouka at Lake Ferry
  • View across Lake Onoke to Remutaka range
    View across Lake Onoke to Remutaka range
  • Open outlet of Lake Onoke
    Open outlet of Lake Onoke
  • Cliffs and lagoon at Lake Ferry
    Cliffs and lagoon at Lake Ferry
  • Lake Ferry hotel
    Lake Ferry hotel
  • Lake Ferry hotel and village from beach
    Lake Ferry hotel and village from beach

References
  1. "Lake Ferry (Lake Onoke)". 100% Pure New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  2. "Wairarapa places – Palliser District". Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  3. "Threat of flood in Lower Wairarapa – Lake Ferry rising". Evening Post. Vol. CXVII, no. 109. 10 May 1934. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021 – via PapersPast.
  4. Yorster, Elisa (12 January 2018). "Tensions at lake reignited". Wairarapa Times Age. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  5. Wilson, Beckie; Beleski, Jake (2 January 2017). "Father of four swept out to sea near Lake Ferry". Wairarapa Times-Age. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022 – via New Zealand Herald.
  6. Stevens, Mark (20 November 1999). "Men saved near Lake Onoke". Evening Post. ProQuest 314685427.
  7. "Lake Ferry opts for sewerage system". Dominion Post. 1 May 1997. ProQuest 314991102.
  8. Katterns, Tanya (24 December 2003). "Good news for Lake Onoke". Dominion Post. ProQuest 338054494.
  9. Anselm, Marcus (13 November 2020). "'Damning' report into Lake Ferry blunder". RNZ. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  10. Teodoro, Sue (1 July 2023). "SWDC buys campground". Wairarapa Times-Age. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  11. Teodoro, Sue (8 July 2023). "War of words in campsite drama". Wairarapa Times-Age. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  12. Teodoro, Sue (11 September 2023). "Council in $500k spend up". Wairarapa Times-Age. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
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