Lake Omapere in Northland is situated 4 miles north of Kaikohe. It is 2¾ miles long and 2 miles wide. A number of volcanic cones are close to the lake and an ancient lava flow from one has blocked a valley and formed the lake, which is 780 ft above sea level. It has a remarkably constant depth of from 7 to 9 ft. Hot soda springs are found near the south-western shore. The lake bed, on which can be detected tree stumps of a submerged forest, was for many years of disputed Maori ownership. The low-lying swamp land surrounding the lake is an ideal habitat for the tall-plumed native grass (mapere), hence the name.

by Leslie Owen Kermode, B.A., Geological Survey Station, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Otahuhu.