Te Whakarewarewa

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  • Address
    entry through NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, Hemo Rd
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  • Phone
    348 9047
  • Website
  • winter 08:00 - 17:00 , summer 08:00 - 18:00

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Lonely Planet review

This is Rotorua's largest and best-known thermal reserve, and a major Maori cultural area. It's pronounced 'fa-ka-re-wa-re-wa' - most simply call it 'Whaka'. Its most spectacular geyser is Pohutu (Big Splash or Explosion), an active geyser that erupts between 10 and 20 times a day. Pohutu spurts hot water about 20-30m into the air.

The average eruption lasts about five to 10 minutes, though the longest is reputed to have lasted for 15 hours - a world record. You get a warning because the Prince of Wales' Feathers geyser always starts off shortly before Pohutu. The institute also has working craftspeople, an art gallery, a replica Maori village, kiwi house and access to the thermal area.