Kuirau Park is located an easy 5-10-minute walk from the city centre. Several walkways take you around the free thermal reserve which features gardens, bubbling
mud pools, a crater lake, hot springs and thermal foot pools.

According to Māori legend, the lake was known as Taokahu. A beautiful young woman named Kuiarau was bathing in the waters when a taniwha dragged her to his
lair below the lake. The gods above were angered and made the lake boil so the taniwha would be destroyed forever. From that time on, the bubbling lake and
steaming land around it have been known by the name of the lost woman (although the spelling has changed a little).

Early morning light will allow you to capture the vibrant algae, while the cool air enhances the volume and intensity of the steam rising from the geothermal features,
creating a mystical and dramatic atmosphere to photos.