January 17 - Tauranga to Rotorua

Sunday 17 January

We sailed in to Tauranga looking forward to a tour. We sailed past Mount Maunganui where there were already many people on the beach watching the ship arrive. Today I had a tour booked to take a group up to Rotorua. I was looking forward to meeting Dennis from Terry Tours as we had exchanged emails over several months. We were a group of 20 in two very comfortable vans. 

We visited a kiwi production business Kiwi 360 which was very interesting, then we headed for Rotorua. Dennis was driving one van and we were with the other partner in the business, Flash (his real name is Gordon!), in the other van. He was very entertaining, but also had extensive knowledge of the areas we drove through as well as Maori culture.

We stopped briefly at Okere Falls and were lucky enough (it being a weekend) to have some white water rafters testing their skills on the river. The rapids at these falls are a Cat.5 and quite dangerous. There is a viewing platform and a bell sounds when rafters are approaching the falls.

Then it was on to Rotorua. As we approached Flash explained the legend of the lovers and the significance of the island in the lake. Then we headed for Te Puia the thermal and Maori centre and saw everything. Unfortunately the Pohutu geyser was not spuming as much as expected during our visit. But we got the idea. The Maori cultural experience at Te Puia was excellent and we were lucky enough to have one of the kiwi’s in the Kiwi House show itself.

On the return journey we took a different route and visited some of the many lakes near Rotorua. We also visited the town itself and saw the Bath House and Government Gardens which were lovely.

Once again we enjoyed our day.

 

Mt Maunganui

Kiwi 360

Rafters traversing Okere Falls

Te Puia. The circle of welcoming Maori spirits

Pohutu Geyser

There are typical Maori huts on display. The doorway is purposefully made very low so the family cannot easily be ambushed

Flash explains how a hangi works - the means by which meat and vegetables are cooked underground with hot stones

Traditional Maori war canoe

Have a go - it rolls off the tongue once you get the hang of it!

Traditional Maori crafts are encouraged at Te Puia. This carving, from one tree, is destined for Anzac Cove in Turkey

Young Maoris can learn the craft here

Traditional weaving is also taught here

This complex skirt design is woven from the leaves of the flax plant

The commencement of the welcome ceremony

A visitor is chosen from the audience to represent all the visitors. They participate in the ceremony before everyone is allowed into the marae

Once welcomed into the marae, we are treated to traditional song and dance

Returning to the thermal area, we take a closer look at the geyser

We were surprised how little sulphur smell there was

The mud pools were popping and plopping and fascinating to watch

Two lakes separated by a small land link both are different colour - when the sun is shining!

Blue Lake, used extensively for water sports and recreation

Green Lake, no-one is permitted to enter the water of this sacred lake

Lake Tarawera

It gets so cold in Rotorua in winter, even the trees need jumpers! Look closely!

The beautiful Bath House

Government Gardens

On our return to Tauranga, Flash took us to the back of an industrial estate. A young local artist practices by painting the walls of the buildings