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Rotorua, Mud Pools and Maoris

© Kath Hobson

Radiocarbon dating of the craters in the Whakarewarewa park gives a minimum age for the thermal area as 42,000 years although it is believed to be much older. Much of the ground in the area of the hot springs is warm and steam issues from numerous small fissures. There are well marked walking tracks and visitors to the area are well advised to stick to them. In some places the ground is only a very thin crust over boiling mud and if broken you could end up with severe burns.

There are several hot spring areas surrounding Rotorua. To the north is Tikitere or Hell's Gate, this area is very active with many furiously boiling hot springs and mud pools. One of the main attractions of this area are the Kakahi Falls where visitors can splash under the warm cascades. There is a legend concerning Tikitere, one of the many legends that make up New Zealand. It is said that Rangi-te-ao-rere, a famous warrior was presented with a beautiful young woman of high rank to marry. For a while Rangi-te-ao-rere and his lovely wife Huritini lived happily but then he became bored. Huritini realizing she had lost him plunged into the mud pool which bears her name. When the sad news was heard, her people cried "Taku tiki-i-tere" - "our greatly loved daughter has floated away". Thus the place became known as Tikitere.

However Rotorua is not just hot springs and mud pool, it is also the center of Maori culture. Rotorua is possibly the best place in New Zealand to experience the traditional way of life of the Maori people. One place not to be missed is the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. It is best to take one of the guided tours through the institute as your Maori guide will explain the history and origins of the Maori people and their traditional way of life. At the institute you can also watch the Maori crafts people at work on spectacular carvings and wonderful weavings. Make sure while you are in Rotorua that you also take the time to attend a traditional Hangi or feast where the most wonderful dishes are cooked underground and be sure to stay to watch the ferocious haka* http://www.rugbyweb.co.nz/all_blacks_hak... Maori War Dance) as well as the beautiful love songs and the action songs that have been handed down from generation to generation. Also not to be missed is the Rainbow Springs flora and Fauna park where you can walk through the native flora and fauna of New Zealand and see the beautiful rainbow, brown and brook trout swimming through the crystal clear streams. At Rainbow Springs there is also a specially designed nocturnal house where you can see the very rare and shy Kiwi. A small brown flightless bird that has become the symbol of New Zealanders world wide.