Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village
Unlike a recreated cultural centre, this is a real village where Te Arawa descendants still live and cook using the geothermal steam and pools beneath their feet.
Quick Facts
- Region
- Bay of Plenty, North Island
- Best time
- Year-round
- Entry fee
- From NZD $35 (adult)
- Duration
- 1–2 hours
Overview
Whakarewarewa is a living village where Māori of Ngāti Wāhiao and Tūhourangi descent have made their home among active geothermal features for generations, using natural steam boxes to cook food and thermal pools for bathing — practices that continue today, not just for visitors.
Guided tours are led by village residents, who share their own family histories alongside the geology of the valley. The village also has a historic carved meeting house, a small geyser of its own, and a cemetery where the volcanically heated ground means graves are built above ground level.
Things To Do
- Guided village tour — led by residents, covering both geothermal science and living history.
- Traditional steam cooking demonstration — see food cooked in natural geothermal steam boxes (hāngi/hāngi pots).
- Cultural performance — haka and poi shows in the village's meeting house.
- Pōhutu Geyser viewing platform — shared with neighbouring Te Puia, visible from within the village.
- Village cemetery — above-ground burial vaults, a direct result of the geothermal ground conditions.
Getting There
The village is about 10 minutes' drive from central Rotorua, directly adjacent to Te Puia. Shuttle buses run from the city centre, and there's parking on site.
| Address | 17 Tryon Street, Rotorua 3010 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 9:00am – 5:00pm daily |
| Entry Fee | From NZD $35 (adult) |
| Duration | 1–2 hours |
| Accessibility | Mostly flat paths; some uneven ground around geothermal features |
Gallery
Nearby Attractions
Te Puia
Live Māori cultural performances alongside geysers and a kiwi conservation centre.
Redwoods Treewalk
Suspended walkways through a towering century-old redwood forest, a short drive away.
Rotorua
The lakeside city at the heart of the region's geothermal and cultural attractions.