Rotorua - Feel the Spirit

Rotorua (from Maori: Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe, "The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe") is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. Hamurana lodge is located within 15 minutes pleaseant drive to Rotorua. The city is in the heart of the North Island, just 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of Tauranga, 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Taupo, 105 kilometres (65 mi) east of Hamilton, and 230 kilometres (140 mi) southeast of Auckland.

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Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists, with the tourism industry being by far the largest industry in the district. The city is known for its geothermal activity, with number of geysers, notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa, and hot mud pools located in the city. This thermal activity owes itself to the Rotorua caldera on which the city lies. Rotorua is also a top adventure destination and is New Zealand's Maori cultural heartland.

Located to the north east of Lake Rotorua and Hamurana Lodge, Hamurana Spring is the deepest natural fresh water spring on the North Island of New Zealand. The healing and mystic spring emerges from a rocky area within a Department of Conservation reserve. The spring is 920 feet (280 m) above sea level and is approximately 15 metres (50 ft) deep. It produces an estimated 4 million litres of crystal clear water per hour at a fairly constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. The spring flows as a stream for approximately one kilometre before joining Lake Rotorua. In summer the stream is home to rainbow trout who prefer the cooler temperature of the spring water. The surrounding wildlife sanctuary plays host to many species of birds including black teal, scaup, herons and the endangered dabchick. This is a relaxing spiritual hot spot, with calming meditation areas in a picturesque setting.

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HISTORY

The name Rotorua comes from Maori, the full name being Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe; roto means lake and rua two - Rotorua thus meaning 'Second lake'. Kahumatamomoe was the uncle of the Maori chief Ihenga, the ancestral explorer of the Te Arawa. It was the second major lake the chief discovered, and he dedicated it to his uncle. It is the largest of a multitude found to the northeast of the city, all connected with the Rotorua Caldera and nearby Mount Tarawera. The name can also mean the equally appropriate 'crater lake'.

The area was initially settled by Maori of the Te Arawa iwi. The first European in the area was probably Phillip Tapsell who was trading from the Bay of Plenty coast at Maketu from 1828. He later married into Te Arawa and became highly regarded by them. Missionaries Henry Williams and Thomas Chapman visited in 1831 and Chapman and his wife established a mission at Te Koutu in 1835. This was abandoned within a year but Chapman returned in 1838 and established a second mission at Mokoia Island.

The lakeshore was a prominent site of skirmishes during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. A "special town district" was created in the 1883, in order to promote Rotorua's potential as a spa. The town was connected to Auckland with the opening of the Rotorua Branch railway and commencement of the Rotorua Express train in 1894, resulting in the rapid growth of the town and tourism from this time forward. Rotorua was established as a borough in 1922 and declared a city in 1962 before becoming a District in 1979.

CLIMATE

As the Rotorua region is sheltered by high country to the south and east, it has less wind than many other parts of New Zealand. Being inland, a wide range of temperature is experienced. Warm, dry and settled weather predominates during summer. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 21°C to 26°C, rarely exceeding 30°C. Winters are cool and this is normally the most unsettled time of the year. Typical winter daytime maximum air temperatures range from 10°C to 14°C. Frosts occur in clear, calm conditions in winter. Sunshine hours average 2000 to 2100 in most places. Southwesterlies prevail. Lake breezes often occur in Rotorua on warm summer days.

GEOTHERMAL AREAS

Thermal activity is at the heart of much of Rotorua's tourist appeal. Geysers and bubbling mud-pools, hot thermal springs and the Buried Village (Te Wairoa) - so named after it was buried by the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption - are within easy reach of the city.

Kuirau Park, to the west end of the central city, is also remarkable - hot bubbling mud pools dot the park, lending a surreal air to the setting. Visitors can soak their feet in hot pools.

Rotorua has a nickname Sulphur City, because of the hydrogen sulphide emissions, which gives the city a "rotten eggs" smell (Hamurana Lodge is not located near these emissions).

The especially pungent smell in the central-east 'Te Ngae' area is due to the dense sulphur deposits located next to the southern boundary of the Government Gardens, in the area known as 'Sulphur Point'.

LAKES

With 17 lakes, the Rotorua region is an aquatic paradise. Fishing, waterskiing, swimming and other water activities are popular in summer. The lakes are also great event venues; Rotorua hosted the 2007 World Waterski Championships and Lake Rotorua was the venue for the World Blind Sailing Championshipsin March 2009. Lake Rotorua is also used as a departure and landing point for float planes.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Rotorua is also home to botanical gardens and interesting historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort since the 1800s, many of its buildings hint at this history. Government Gardens, close to the lakeshore at the eastern end of the town, are particularly worthy of note.

Another of Rotorua's attractions is the mountain biking. Whakarewarewa (also known as the "Redwoods") Forest has been described as 'the Disneyland of mountain biking' and has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand. Rotorua hosted the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships, in August 2006.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

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