Kia Ora Guided City Walks, Rotorua

About

Connect with our culture, history, people and landscape that make our city unique.
Visit Ohinemutu, birthplace of Rotorua.

Story

Connect with the culture, people, history and landscape that make this city unique. Relish in the stories of days past; you can extend your tour to include one of New Zealand’s leading cultural and heritage attractions, the Rotorua Museum. There you can follow the journey of the Te Arawa canoe, the beginning of tourism in NZ and settlement in Rotorua.

Ohinemutu is home to the Te Papaiouru Marae and the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house, named after the paramount chief and captain of the Te Arawa canoe. This meeting house sits in its ornately carved splendor proudly overseeing the village. Entry inside this historic house is unavailable to tourists, however, you are more than welcome to view the external handcarved elevations.

Across from the Te Papaiouru Marae and towards the lakes edge is the historic and magnificently decorated St Faith’s Church. Construction of this Tudor-style church was completed in 1914. Its interior also has a strong Maori presence with its beautiful carvings and woven tukutuku and taniko panels. A memorable feature that was added during later extensions to the church is a window etched with the image of Jesus wearing a Māori cloak - he appears to walk on the surface of the lake. The combination of all these elements offers a unique dimension with the European Tudor-style architecture and the Maori art demonstrating the easy alliance between the demigods of Maoridom with Christianity.

The entire Ohinemutu Village is nestled among steaming vents and boiling hot pools . The raw beauty of Ohinemutu is spiritually uplifting and tranquil. Visitors are welcome to walk around this living village, at no charge, to view the cooking arrangements over the boiling hot water vents and to see the outdoor bathing sheds. Keep to the paths and observe common sense rules.

Our guided walks take approximately 2hrs long. Should you wish to continue through to the Rotorua Museum an extra 1.5hrs should be added on.

We can also organise tailored educational tours depending on the ages and specific topics the students are learning. Tours available for 8-12yrs, 13-16yrs, 16yrs+

Tours: 10am & 2pm daily
Cost: $30.00 pp
Educational Group quotes are available via email request
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes