Feel the spirit - Manaakitanga
The centre of North Island is dominated by the geothermal city of Rotorua, the picturesque Lake Taupo and the UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park.
From the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere like nowhere else. Lazy drifts of steam are emitted from cracks, crevices and culverts in parks, gardens, pathways and even residential streets. These constant steam drifts, together with the distinctive scent of sulphur, let you know you are in at the centre of an active thermal area.
As well as the geysers and boiling mud pools of Rotorua, this is also a major centre for accessible Maori culture, where young Maori learn the skills of traditional carving. In one of the Maori culture centres, you will be able to enjoy a traditional Maori welcome, a concert, the Haka (a Maori challenge witnessed before All Black rugby matches) and a Hangi, a delicious feast cooked in an earth oven.
