Just 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre is the historic Ōhinemutu village.

Settled by the Ngāti Whakaue tribe around 1350 AD, this location was chosen for its setting on the shores of Lake Rotorua and the abundant geothermal energy which
was useful for cooking, bathing and heating. Today the village is still home to a few hundred descendants.

Your early morning shoot will reveal steaming vents, boiling hot pools, magnificent Māori carvings and natural beauty.

You’ll see Tamatekapua, a traditional Māori meeting house. (While the meeting house is not open to the public, you are welcome to explore the outside).

Historic Tudor-style St Faith’s Anglican Church sits on the lake edge. The interior of the church has a strong Māori influence. A feature is a window etched with the
image of Jesus, wearing a Māori cloak, appearing to walk across the surface of the lake.

Graves in the St Faith’s cemetery are raised above ground because of the area’s significant geothermal activity.

Close by on Muruika Point, the Muruika Urupa (Soldier’s Cemetery) contains around 70 above-ground tombs. Most are burial places of members of the 28 Māori
Battalion who returned from the Second World War, but several tablets honour those who were killed overseas.

For the safety and respect of the villagers, please keep to the footpaths.

www.RotoruaNZ.com
www.nzhistory.govt.nz
www.stfaithsrotorua.co.nz