Ohinemutu

Your Rotorua adventure begins with a private guided walking tour through Ohinemutu, a living Māori geothermal village situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua. It is also home to Ngāti Whakaue. Ngāti Whakaue is a sub-tribe of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) which journeyed from the Pacific homeland of Hawaiiki to New Zealand around 1350AD. Ohinemutu Village was the city centre for the Rotorua region in the early 1870’s. Visitors, including royalty, arrived at this bustling settlement before going on to visit the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Tarawera, and to experience the healing waters of Rotorua. Today, Ohinemutu is the setting for many significant occasions for the people of Rotorua. It an area of spiritual, historic and cultural importance. You will be guided by a Ngāti Whakaue descendent or family member and learn about a distinctive way of life, see the natural cooking pools and bathing areas, admire the paramount traditional meeting house and St Faith’s Anglican church.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua a world class spa awaits. Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is a luxury Māori cultural wellness thermal retreat for adults. Wai Ariki is owned by Ngāti Whakaue and is built on their legacy of cultural traditions, healing practices and manaakitanga (warm hospitality). Wai Ariki meaning 'Chiefly Waters' is architecturally stunning and culturally authentic specialising in holistic health and wellbeing. The 2-hour Restorative Journey - Wai Whakaora is a 7-step multisensory experience blending Māori culture, traditional healing practices with the healing elements of geothermal heat, water, mud, and steam. The Journey is unique in the world and has been purposefully curated to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. What to Bring Swimwear, jandels / thongs / slides to walk aroud in (otherwise barefoot is fine) A towel, robe and locker will be supplied 16 years and above