Manaia and Scarlet hope the lake’s restoration will encourage more Kiwis to visit the wetland. “When I reflect back to my time when I was a young boy, there were no PlayStations, no digital devices … we would spend hours at the creek, learning about nature and ultimately about science.” Lake Rotopiko, also known as Serpentine Lakes, is next to State Highway 3, near Ōhaupō, between Hamilton and Te Awamutu. It is one of 16 significant peat lakes in the Waipā district and is now surrounded by a 3km predator-proof fence. The new pontoon and lake circuit walkway cost about $200,000, supported by funders, the Lottery Grants Board, Waipā District Council, WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato, Stout Trust and Waikato Forest and Bird.