Wonder and wisdom in the Bay of Plenty
Sacred places and geothermal landscapes define this diverse North Island region
Tuesday, 19 February 2019,
Photographs By Erika Larsen
Te Taru White, a kaumatua (a respected elder in Māori society), pictured at the Te Takinga Marae in Rotorua.
Rotorua is a great place to let off some steam. This geothermal wonderland bubbles with natural adventure, like Kuirau Park, located just outside of the city centre. Walking and cycling tracks wind around gurgling mud pools, hissing steam vents, and mists.
Two groups make one country. This 1970 concrete sculpture by Ben Benfield is built on the site of an extinct geyser. It symbolises the growth of Rotorua and the intertwining of New Zealand's Māori and European peoples.
Stretching from the southern Coromandel Peninsula to the East Cape on the North Island, the Bay of Plenty encompasses 4,700 square miles of rich farmland, dense forests, volcanic lakes, sandy beaches, and geothermal wonders. Rotorua (pictured) is a popular destination to explore its culture, adventure, and natural marvels.
Travellers flock to the Bay of Plenty’s coastal and lakeside towns as well as the region’s vast, remote forests like Whakarewarewa Forest (shown here), Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, or Lake Waikaremoana.
Whakarewarewa Forest, located in Rotorua, can be explored by day or night from high up via the Redwoods Treewalk, a network of 28 suspension bridges linking 27 Californian coastal redwoods.
Te Puia in Rotorua is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, which encompasses national schools of wood carving and weaving. Visitors can also experience Māori cultural performances and guided tours give the curious an immersive look at some Māori traditions.
Māori knew a good thing when they saw it, settling the Bay of Plenty around the 13th century. The popular area saw its fair share of history and conflict before settling down into quiet prosperity. It’s a favourite spot for Kiwis and visitors alike to explore Māori culture, partake in outdoor adventure, and experience geothermal wonders.
Most of Te Puia’s guides have direct lineage from Māori iwi, or tribes, from the Rotorua area, and they are proud to share their stories and insights with visitors.
Te Puia’s Pohutu Geyser is legendary. It spurts hot water nearly 35 metres into the air 20 times per day. It’s one of several geysers (including the Kereru Geyser and the Prince of Wales Feathers – Te Tohu) erupting here.