Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Watch
Maori TV and Te Reo, NZ's two Maori TV stations
Go green
See
www.sustainablenz.com
for tips on how to make your Rotorua visit
more ecofriendly
Area code
07
ROTORUA
POP 65,280
Catch a whiff of Rotorua's sulphur-rich, asthmatic airs and you've already got a taste of
NZ's most dynamic thermal area, home to spurting geysers, steaming hot springs and ex-
ploding mud pools. The Maori revered this place, naming one of the most spectacular
springs Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters). Today 35% of the population is Maori, with their
cultural performances and traditional
hangi
as big an attraction as the landscape itself.
Despite the pervasive eggy odour, 'Sulphur City' is one of the most touristed spots on
the North Island, with nearly three million visitors annually. Some locals say this steady
trade has seduced the town into resting on its laurels, and that socially Rotorua lags be-
hind more progressive towns such as Tauranga and Taupo. And with more motels than
nights in November, the urban fabric of 'RotoVegas' isn't particularly appealing…but
still, where else can you see a 30m geothermal geyser!
History
The Rotorua area was first settled in the 14th century when the canoe
Te Arawa,
cap-
tained by Tamatekapua, arrived from Hawaiki at Maketu in the central Bay of Plenty.
Settlers took the tribal name Te Arawa to commemorate the vessel that had brought them
here.
In the next few hundred years, subtribes spread and divided through the area, with
conflicts breaking out over limited territory. A flashpoint occurred in 1823 when the
Arawa lands were invaded by tribes from the Northland in the so-called Musket Wars.
After heavy losses on both sides, the Northlanders eventually withdrew.
During the Waikato Land War (1863-64) Te Arawa threw in its lot with the govern-
ment against its traditional Waikato enemies, gaining troop support and preventing East
Coast reinforcements getting through to support the Kingitanga movement.
