Abstract
If the kind and amount of phytoplankton in the waters are used to measure their trophic levels, Lakes Okaro and Ngapouri can be classified as eutrophic, Lakes Rotokakahi and Okataina as mesotrophic, and Lakes Okareka, Rotoma, and Tikitapu as oligotrophic. If they are measured by their zooplankton or water chemistry, the trophic levels of Lakes Rotokakahi, Okataina, and Okareka differ from this. The phytoplankton seen in 1970–71 is compared with that recorded in 1955-–56.