Largest lakes & reservoirs in New Zealand by acres
This is a comparison for lakes within New Zealand > - Compared by surface area in acres.Note: For some lakes, "Largest Lakes - Acres" data is unknown or does not apply, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 31 articles we have published for New Zealand lakes.
Search results: Sort lakes by surface acreage
Lake name ![]() |
Surface area in acres ![]() |
Lake description |
---|---|---|
Lake Taupo (New Zealand, North Island, Taupo) |
152,216 ac | If you are making your first visit to New Zealand, Lake Taupo in the Taupo Region of the North Island is an excellent first choice. New Zealand’s larg… |
Lake Te Anau (Fiordland, New Zealand, South Island) |
86,981 ac | Lake Te Anau, located in the southwestern corner of South Island in New Zealand, is situated with rolling hillside country on the eastern side and mag… |
Lake Wakatipu (Central Otago, New Zealand, South Island) |
71,908 ac | Lake Wakatipu on the South Island of New Zealand is fuel for myths, a backdrop for Hollywood movies and a destination for adventure seekers. The depth… |
Lake Pukaki (Christchurch - Canterbury, New Zealand, South Island) |
49,421 ac | Lake Pukaki in the Canterbury region of the South Island is a scenic delight. One of three glacial lakes that lie nearly parallel, the lake gets water… |
Lake Wanaka (New Zealand, South Island, Wanaka) |
47,445 ac | Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and located on South Island, New Zealand, Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and contains crys… |
Lake Hawea (Central Otago, New Zealand, South Island) |
34,842 ac | Surrounded by towering mountains in Central Otago of New Zealand’s South Island, Lake Hawea is a lake that was formed by glaciers thousands of years a… |
Lake Rotorua (New Zealand, North Island, Rotorua) |
19,714 ac | What greeting will you hear when you come to Lake Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island? Kia ora!! Kia ora means ‘Be healthy’ or ‘well’ in the Maori l… |
Lake Tekapo (Christchurch - Canterbury, New Zealand, South Island) |
15,360 ac | Lake Tekapo is located in the center of South Island, New Zealand. Known for its intense turquoise hue, the lake stays that color because of “rock flo… |
Lake Ohau (Marlborough, New Zealand, South Island) |
13,344 ac | Lake Ohau, in the Mackenzie Basin of the Waitaki District, South Island is an often overlooked lake and mountain paradise. The smallest of three paral… |
Lake Coleridge (Christchurch - Canterbury, New Zealand, South Island) |
11,614 ac | Nestled snugly between two mountain ranges and surrounded by lush green farming valleys, Lake Coleridge’s clear blue waters are a breathtaking wonder… |
Lake Brunner (New Zealand, South Island, West Coast) |
10,151 ac | Moana Kotuku is what the Maori call Lake Brunner, naming it after the beautiful and rare white herons (kotuku) sometimes seen on the lake’s shores. Th… |
Lake Tarawera (New Zealand, North Island, Rotorua) |
10,131 ac | Lake Tarawera in the Rotorua District of the Bay of Plenty Region is a highly prized vacation lake. This deep and clear volcanic lake lies in the Okat… |