Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao

Sunday we awoke to a very rainy and windy Rotorua, we also could not figure out how we had slept for a solid 10 hours! It wasn’t until later in the day that we realised the clocks had gone forward and spring had officially arrived in New Zealand (although I think somebody had forgot to inform the weather).

Bubbling mud pool 

And so we set out to Whakarewarewa. I did not know what to expect from a living thermal village or even what one was. Whakarewarewa or to give it is full name Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao (no matter how often they said it, I still couldn’t pronounce it!) is home to the people of Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao and they welcomed us to their village with a Haka (a war dance), waiata a Ringa (song with accompanying actions) and the ever entertaining poi dance.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our welcome to the town with Matt even saying that it was the best thing we have done in New Zealand so far and as New Zealand is a geological wonderland that is saying something!

One of the many bubbling pools

Following our welcome we were taken on a tour of the village by a very knowledgeable village resident. The families in the village all use the natural geothermal resources as part of their everyday lives, from the area to live, their houses being built directly on top of the area heating up their homes a treat. Our guide also showed us how he cooks his tea placing the food in a Hangi- a wooden box built to cook food via steam, much like a steamer at home except using the natural land rather than electricity. He simply prepares his food in the morning, warps it in tin foil and places it in the box. When he arrives home at night the food is ready for him. Other food is dipped into the lake which at 50* above boiling point cooks the food quickly and efficiently.

Meeting hall

Another highlight of the tour were the geysers, erupting water 10-14 meters into the air in a splendid fashion. Although by now we were rather soggy from the rain the steam off the water kept us nice and warm and you could still appreciate the sheer force of nature. 

Luckily the weather improved dramatically and we were able to enjoy this sun set from our camper on our penultimate night in the van!