I really enjoyed learning more about Maori heritage and traditions at a cultural evening in Rotorua.
Helen Richards, New Zealand Specialist, 01993 838824
Amongst its tranquil lakes and bush-clad hills, New Zealand’s Thermal Plateau hides a Dante-esque world of bubbling mud pools and gushing geysers; this is a region rich with the geothermal energy of the earth’s molten core.
A rift valley 250 kilometres long runs from Mount Ruapehu in the south, through Rotorua and north to the country’s most active volcano, White Island, in the Bay of Plenty. This geothermal activity not only shaped the landscape but also the culture of the region, with many geographical features delineating tribal boundaries and perceived as areas of great sacredness.
The region is rich in natural wonders, including cave formations where glow-worms scatter like constellations among the stalactites, crystal-clear rivers that spill into dramatic waterfalls and pristine trout-filled lakes, and snow-capped peaks that rise above dense native forests, making it is easy to understand its spiritual importance. The region is one of the best to experience Maori culture and the ideal place to sample a traditional hangi (feast) or attend an energetic kapa haka (song and dance display).
One of the country’s greatest touring routes, the Thermal Discovery Highway, links the geothermal and cultural highlights of a fascinating, ever-changing landscape and offers something enticing around every corner.
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Selected Highlights
Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”.
Enjoy a Maori feast
One of the best ways to appreciate the strong local Maori culture is to partake of an evening hangi (feast). By selecting one of the smaller...
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Catch yourself a trout
This is one of the best regions in New Zealand for trout fishing, and several excellent operators will happily take you out to one of many great...
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Explore Tongariro National Park
The Tongariro National Park became a World Heritage Site in 1991 in recognition of its unique volcanic peaks, steaming fumaroles, crystal clear lakes and...
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