Māori Culture in Rotorua

Rotorua is one of my favourite cities in New Zealand. It doesn't feel like a city, it is small, and it is loaded with Māori culture - an interesting part of what makes Rotorua so unique compared to the rest of New Zealand. Rotorua is located in the northern central part of the North Island, about two hours north of Taupo. It also serves as the gateway to the Bay of Plenty. 

This city is very cool. One of the things that makes it unique is that there is a lot of Māori culture in the city. I found that when I went to any tourist gift shop anywhere else in New Zealand, standard items would be for sale: 

• Paua Shells
• Photographs of famous New Zealand sites, including the Coromandel
• Tiles with New Zealand icons, including ferns and Kiwi birds
• Māori  inspired jewelry
• Hats, T-shirts, Hoodies etc.

In Rotorua, it was slightly different. You would find Māori wood and jade carvings, for example. Māori masks as well. Māori carvings depicting the main figures in the famous legend about Hinemoa and Tutanekai are found in the Central Business District (CBD).

A Māori wood carving of Tutanekai in the CBD

One major attraction where visitors to the area can learn about Māori culture is Te Puia. This is a reserve that has a cultural tour almost every hour, and a Māori cultural show to end the tour. You will see a traditional Māori canoe, called a Waka, a school where Māori's learn to carve wood, and a Whare (pronounced Far-eh, with a soft F: 'Ph' sound). This is a traditional Māori meeting house.

A Whare

There is so much more to Rotorua than first realized. It is a very interesting place to visit. If you get the chance, go see it for yourself!

~Angie