Only Lakes Hakapoua and Innes lie further south on the southern of New Zealand's two main islands.

It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the west of the town of Tuatapere.

It covers an area of 43 square kilometres (17 sq mi).

The Māori word may mean 'to drift forwards and backwards', with another theory that the spelling of the lake should be Poutiritiri, which would translate as a 'post on which offerings are hung'.

[1] Access to the lake is via helicopter, a rough deer trail from Slaughter Burn or Harry's Track, a marked route from the outlet of Lake Hauroko.