Te Puia is known as New Zealand’s premier Maori Cultural and Geothermal Centre. The area has long been an important part of Rotorua's heritage and a visit will provide a unique insight to the art,craft, music, food and ways of the local Maori people.
This is New Zealands best known thermal area with more than 500 springs in the thermal reserve which vary from cold to boiling cauldrons. Possibly most famous of all is the Pohutu Geyser which bursts into life up to 20 times each day, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters (90 feet) skyward. Also on display throughout the valley are steaming cauldrons of mud - varying in temperature, purpose, size and colour, these pools each hold significance and place in the day to day lives of local Maori.
- Maori guides share their heritage and values that have been handed down through the generations. Visitors will also be transported back to pre-European times as they walk through our recreation of a typical Maori village. Sleeping houses, food storage houses, weapons and implements necessary to pre-European life are displayed within the forest setting.
- The Kiwi House The Kiwi bird has been at home in New Zealand for over 70 million years. Te Puia is fortunate to have these native New Zealand icons available for visitors to view in the specially designed Kiwi house. Te Puia also partakes in a national breeding programme.
