Tolin's 2024 World Cruise blog posts, Day 27 Feb 5, 2024, Discover Maori Culture, Rotorua, NZ

- February 05, 2024

Rotorua is a city in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. The city lies on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. Rotorua has an estimated resident population of 58,900, making it the country's 12th largest urban area, and the Bay of Plenty's second-largest urban area behind Tauranga.

Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pōhutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua Caldera, in which the town lies.

The name Rotorua comes from the Māori language, where the full name for the city and lake is Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe. Roto means 'lake' and rua means 'two' or in this case, 'second' – Rotorua thus meaning 'Second lake.' Kahumatamomoe was the uncle of the Māori chief Ihenga, the ancestral explorer of the Te Arawa. It was the second major lake the chief discovered, and he dedicated it to his uncle. It is the largest of a multitude of lakes found to the northeast, all connected with the Rotorua Caldera and nearby Mount Tarawera. The name can also mean the equally appropriate 'Crater lake.'

Lake Rotorua (Māori: Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe) is the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand by surface area, and covers 30.8 miles^2. With a mean depth of only 30 feet it is considerably smaller than nearby Lake Tarawera in terms of volume of water. It is located within the Rotorua Caldera in the Bay of Plenty Region.

Lake Rotorua is fed with water from a number of rivers and streams; some such as the Utuhina flow with a water temperature warmer than the lake due to the thermal activity in the Rotorua area. Conversely streams on the northern shore such as the Hamurana Spring and the Awahou stream flow crystal clear water that has a constant temperature of 50 degrees. Other notable tributaries include the Ngongotahā stream, famous for trout fishing. Lake Rotorua flows directly into Lake Rotoiti via the Ohau Channel at the north eastern corner of the lake. The urban development of Rotorua extends along the south portion of the lake shore.

More lake info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Rotorua

A common nickname for Rotorua is "Sulphur City" due to the hydrogen sulphide emissions, which gives the city a smell similar to "rotten eggs," as well as "Rotten-rua" combining its legitimate name and the rotten smell prevalent. Another common nickname is "Roto-Vegas", likening the city's own strip of road flanked by businesses and restaurants to that of Las Vegas.

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-class destination renowned for its geothermal landscapes, rich Māori culture, and incredible backyard of with ancient forests and sparkling lakes.

It’s all of this and so much more that makes Rotorua a fantastic place to create an enviable lifestyle, open up businesses, raise families, and support each other.

Today's excursion exposed us to the Maori peoples and ways of life. We bussed to a small tribal village to be greeted by a ceremonial welcome ceremony. The Maori are a tribal Polynesian people indigenous to New Zealand with a rich and unique culture which forms an integral part of life in New Zealand. There are many opportunities to experience traditional Maori culture firsthand in Tauranga, the best place being a Marae meeting grounds.