Pohutu Geyser at Te
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
Central Plateau - Rotorua, Taupo and Tongariro National Park
Ask many people for the first image of New Zealand that pops into their head and they may well say that it is the haka, the aggressive Maori war dance made famous by the All Blacks who perform it before their rugby matches. It may be bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers or it could be the an image of the landscapes of Mordor from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. All of this can be found in the centre of the North Island.
Rotorua is in the north of this region and is one of the best known and oldest tourist destinations in New Zealand. It is the heartland of New Zealand Maori culture and has been home to Maori people of the Arawa tribe for more than 600 years and there are now about 35 different marae or meeting grounds of the Arawa people and other iwi (tribes) in and around Rotorua.
Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting
Rotorua offers a variety of cultural experiences that give an insight into the unique culture and history of New Zealand’s first inhabitants. This can be as simple as watching a dance performance or haka or as involved as a visit to a Maori village complete with a traditional formal welcome, songs and dance followed by a hangi feast of food cooked in an earth oven.
Rotorua is in one of New Zealand’s most volcanically active areas and is surrounded by a fascinating variety of geothermal features from spouting geysers to bubbling mud pools to sparkling and steaming lakes. It is not unusual to be surprised by a puff of steam or the smell of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulphide) as you drive around.
If Rotorua leaves you in any doubt about the volcanic nature of this part of the country then Taupo and Tongariro National park is all the confirmation that you need. [click for more]
Back
links | sitemap | privacy | terms | image credits