• TE WHAKAREWAREWA Geothermal Valley

The Geothermal Features of

Whakarewarewa Village

One of the highlights of visiting Rotorua is getting up close and personal with the natural geothermal features across the region.

Whakarewarewa Valley is an active geothermal area with hot pools, boiling mud and geysers. Māori people have lived here for centuries, co-existing in harmony with the geothermal forces that lay beneath their feet.

Born of Legend

In Māori myths and legends it is said that when Te Hoata and Te Pupu (Goddesses of Fire) travelled from Hawaiki in the form of fire to relieve their brother’s chills, they created New Zealand’s volcanoes, mud pools, geysers and hot springs. Their path through Te Whakarewarewa Valley remains alive and visible to this day.

More to Explore

Take advantage of your time at Whakarewarewa and explore the geothermal landscape that makes the Village so unique. There are multiple ways to appreciate the geothermal treasures that live beneath the ground at Whakarewarewa, whether you want to be mesmerised by the boiling mud, or, learn more about the geological forces created Whakarewarewa over millennia.

Steaming geothermal hot pools

Geology of Whakarewarewa

Learn about the Earth Science forces that formed Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village hundreds of years ago, and are still in effect today.
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Village Nature Walks

Nature Walks

Explore beyond the village with the self-guided Whakarewarewa Nature Walks. Walk around boiling mud pools, coloured lakes, and through native New Zealand bush. With walks ranging from 5 to 50 minutes, requiring only comfortable shoes and a low level of fitness, these are a must-do to experience our beautiful home.
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  • "So informative full of history. Very authentic... Delicious hangi one must try when there. Having been to other Villages this one is one of a kind! "
    Karolina – Palmerston North, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "It is once impressive for the landscape itself and twice impressive for the fact that it is a populated village where people get on with their lives by utilising the earth’s powers ."
    PhillipP- 03/2020 – via TripAdvisor
  • "The welcome at Whakarewarewa brought me to tears... Our guide was friendly, funny and informative."
    Susie – Rotorua, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "The Guide’s passion for their home was so beautiful and genuine. The waiata to finish the tour brought a tear to my eyes."
    Monique Enoka-Davidson – New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map
  • "Amazing heritage in this area, very friendly and inviting." 
    Estee Blom- New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map