Suburban area of Rotorua city, and one of its most famous thermal areas. In 1894 the railway reached Rotorua, encouraging growth. Māori guided visitors around the thermal areas, especially Whakarewarewa, near the new town.
Whakarewarewa
Women Together
The Guides of Whakarewarewa
Soon after the first Pākehā – mainly missionaries and traders – arrived in Rotorua in the 1830s, local Māori began to turn the inquisitiveness of the visitors to advantage by showing them the geothermal environment. Read the full Women Together Essay
Meaning of place name
The full name is Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te-ope-a-Wahiao: the uprising of the army of Wahiao. The war party had gathered here and, hidden by the steam from the boiling pools, performed a war dance before going into battle.
