Lake Sumner

{{Short description|Lake in New Zealand}}

{{About|the lake located on an island in New Zealand|the place in New Mexico|Lake Sumner, New Mexico}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox body of water

|name = Hoka Kura (Lake Sumner)

|image = Lake Sumner, New Zealand.jpg

|alt = Hoka Kura (Lake Sumner), viewed from above Shoal Bay

|caption = Hoka Kura (Lake Sumner), viewed from above Shoal Bay

|image_bathymetry =

|caption_bathymetry =

|image_map ={{Infobox mapframe |zoom=11|point=none|shape-fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=1}}

|pushpin_map = New Zealand South Island

|pushpin_map_alt = Location of Hoka Kura

|location = Lake Sumner Forest Park, Hurunui District in the Canterbury region, South Island

|coords = {{coord|-42.70|172.217|region:NZ-CAN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}

|type =

|inflow =

|outflow =

|catchment =

|basin_countries = New Zealand

|length =

|width =

|area = {{convert|13.73|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

|depth =

|max-depth =

{{convert|135|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|volume =

|residence_time =

|shore =

|elevation = {{convert|505|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|islands =

|cities =

}}

Lake Sumner, known as Hoka Kura in Māori, is a highland lake situated {{cvt|100|km}} northwest of Christchurch in the North Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island.{{LINZ|26216||2022-02-20}} Covering an area of {{cvt|1373|ha}} and a maximum depth of {{cvt|135|m}},{{cite web|url=https://lakes380.com/lakes/hokakura-lake-sumner/|title=Hokakura / Lake Sumner|publisher=Lakes380}} the lake is located in the Lake Sumner Forest Park and on the main stem of the Hurunui River. Several other lakes such as Loch Katrine, Lake Sheppard, Lake Taylor and Lake Mason also lie within the park.

The Lake Sumner region is a popular area for hunting, tramping, trout fishing, whitewater kayaking and mountain biking. Several Department of Conservation tramping huts in the region make it a common destination for overnight trips; however, the area's comparatively remote location and difficult vehicle access mean it is seldom crowded.

Hoka Kura is a cold inland oligotrophic lake formed approximately 18,000 years ago. It fills a trough {{cvt|9.7|km}} long by {{cvt|2.4|km}} wide, within the glacially-carved Hurunui River Valley. The North Branch of the upper Hurunui River enters the lake via a shingle delta at the northwestern end and drains through a narrow natural channel at the southeastern end of the lake.{{Cite web |title=Sumner Lakes Complex |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nzwetlands11.pdf |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=www.doc.govt.nz}}