Rotorua

The central part of NZ's North Island is still volcanically active with geothermal hot springs and geysers dotting the landscape. Lake Rotorua and nearby Lake Taupo are themselves old calderas. And the world's second geothermal power station, Wairākei, still operates in the area.

Maori women cooking sacks of veggies

Both Maori and Pakeha (European) cultures have adapted to the presence of the readily available hot waters in different ways.


For instance Maori like to use the hot pools to cook their food in.

Playing croquet in front of the old Victorian Bathhouse, which is now a museum

 Ever since a French priest cured his arthritis in the thermal waters, a spa has been been located on the shores of Lake Rotorua.

The steaming pools around the town of Rotorua were mesmerizing. I was entranced by the way the vapors danced across the surface of one pool, the vivid colours of the thermophilic bacteria and algae in others, and the popping sounds of bubbles emerging from a mud pool.










Some waters of Rotorua are dangerous and some are healing. I found a pool where the temperature was just right and had a soak myself!