Discover Ōkāreka Mistletoe Walk
Nestled near Lake Ōkāreka in the Rotorua region, the Ōkāreka Mistletoe Walk offers a rare opportunity to observe native mistletoes in their natural habitat. This short walk is a testament to successful conservation efforts, allowing you to witness the pirata (green mistletoe) thriving on five-finger trees (puahou). The walk is a collaborative effort between the Botanical Society, Forest and Bird, and the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Native Mistletoes
Mistletoes are parasitic plants that attach to host trees, which have been badly decimated by possum browsing over the last 150 years. On the Ōkāreka Mistletoe Walk, you can find pirata growing on five-finger trees. While the flowers of the pirata are small and green, they produce clusters of orange berries after flowering. This species is one of nine native mistletoes in New Zealand. Another species of green mistletoe can also be found in small numbers in the area. Although they may be difficult to spot initially, with patience, you can distinguish them from their five-finger hosts.
It takes only a few minutes to complete the walk, situated between Ōkāreka Loop Road and Branch Road at the southern end of Ōkāreka township.
How to Get There
To reach the Ōkāreka Mistletoe Walk from Rotorua, head to the south end of Ōkāreka township, near Lake Ōkāreka on Ōkāreka Loop Road. The walk is located between Ōkāreka Loop Road and Branch Road.
There are many other activities around the Rotorua region. In Rotorua itself, consider a lakeside walk, Government Gardens and the Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest. Lake Ōkāreka is also close to Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Rotokakahi (Green Lake) and Lake Tarawera. A great option, a bit further away, is Kerosene Creek, for a free soak in a thermal creek and waterfall.
