Vishal Sharma
Rotorua, December 16, 2022
Following the opening of our borders, tourist arrivals are expected to rise during the ensuring Summer holidays and with New Zealanders also undertaking extensive travel within the country, Rotorua will claim its share of tourist traffic.
Whakarewarewa in Rotorua is an important tourist destination with its unique Maori culture and natural settings including the world-famous geysers.
Whakarewarewa is the reduced version of Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao, meaning The gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao, often abbreviated to Whaka by locals) is a Rotorua semi-rural geothermal area in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand.
This was the site of the Maori fortress of Te Puia, first occupied around 1325, and known as an impenetrable stronghold never taken in battle. Maori have lived here ever since, taking full advantage of the geothermal activity in the valley for heating and cooking.
The Rotorua geothermal region
Whakarewarewa has about 500 pools, most of which are alkaline chloride hot springs, and at least 65 geyser vents, each with its own name. Seven geysers are currently active. Pohutu Geyser, meaning big splash or explosion, erupts approximately hourly to heights of up to 30 m (98 ft).
The area features Te Pakira Marae and Wahiao Meeting House of the Tūhourangi hapū of Ngati Puta, Ngati Uruhina, Ngati Wāhiao, Tūhourangi and Ngati Taoi.
Traditions about the origin of the Rotorua geothermal region trace back to the Ngétoroirangi, the navigator and tohunga of the Te Arawa canoe. Legends record that while exploring the central North Island he had become cold and called for fire from Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland.
His sisters swam the Pacific Ocean bringing him fire and warmth, landing first at White Island in the Bay of Plenty. On their journey underground through the central North Island they emerged at the places now marked by geysers, mud pools and thermal waters.
These are the stories passed on by the ancestors and told to tourists by our guides of the Tūhourangi Ngati Wāhiao people.
According to a Whakarewarewa guide, the inhabitants of the area built their homes close to the thermal vents because of the warmth and hot water for washing and cooking.
“Later when the tourists came, the sight of people living among the steaming vents intrigued them almost as much as the vents themselves… they seemed to think it was worth crossing the world to see a race of people who built their homes on top of gurgling craters, risking the chance of being blown to smithereens just to keep warm and when these people were a happy crowd, prepared to put on concerts, dive for pennies and demonstrate their arts – well, this was really something,” he said.
The arrival of Missionaries and Traders
The first Pakeha, mainly missionaries and traders, arrived in Rotorua in the 1830s.
Thereafter, the local Maori turned the inquisitiveness of the visitors to an advantage by showing them the geothermal environment. The Pink and White Terraces at Rotomohana were the most popular sights, and a guide was essential. The best-known among them were Sophia (Te Paea) Hinerangi (Guide Sophia) and Keita Rangitūkia Middlemass (Guide Kate).
Both of them spoke fluent English.
Tourism business for Wāhiao developed under Guide Sophie and Guide Maggie, described as New Zealand’s first international celebrities. In 1901, Guide Maggie named herself Papakura after the geyser located in the village and soon became world-famous because of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Whakarewarewa.
By the end of the millennium, Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Tours was an established tourism venture in Rotorua.
In 2007, it was re-branded to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the closing of the gate.
The business became known as Whakarewarewa The Living Thermal Village.
Rich tapestry of knowledge
According to Huia Te Hapu, a Whakarewarewa guide, Maori mythology and legends are rich with examples of humans, gods and the thermal elements the pursuit of Hatu Patu by the bird woman Kurangéituku who met her fate in a boiling pool in Whakarewarewa is a particular favourite.
“The names of every hot pool, mud pool, geyser, fissure, stream and in the thermal valley, how they are connected and their respective function, the daily physical associations – all of these things provide a rich tapestry of knowledge, understanding and commitment, which for our people over time strengthens our identity – who we are, where we are and why,” she said.
Take out the E-bike!
A unique and fun way to explore previously non-accessible geothermal landscapes in the geothermal reserve is on an e-bike.
This is an ideal outdoor leisurely adventure for families, couples, small groups of up to 10 people, and all levels of fitness. Kids can ride independently or on a dual-carry e-bike.
After taking in the stunning sights of bubbling geysers and the varying shades of hot spring lakes and pools, you can continue your e-bike experience through to the world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest, just a five-minute ride away.
Book online and pre-order a Picnic Hamper to enjoy along the way or bring your own hamper.
Health and Safety Best Practice
The company provides a Health and Safety video link on the landing page of our website, has a Health and Safety message in the response email to visitors who book online, has the video playing continuously at the Booking/Registration desk as well as the Nga Mareikura Gallery and Retail showroom, provide a Health and Safety message by Guides to manuhiri at the beginning on all Guided Tours. provide a caution message on the Maps which are given to all visitors to enter the Village and have various warning signs leading into and around the Village trails.
Vishal Sharma is Marketing Facilitator at Whakarewarewa, The Living Maori Village. An arts and cultural tourism advocate, he was earlier Sector Marketing Head for the Indian and Asian Markets. He lives in Rotorua.
