Introduction:

Rotorua is steeped in Maori history.  It is the heartland of Maori culture in New Zealand and has educational support, personnel and product to enhance in-depth learning experiences for international students.

The Maori people associated with the Tikitere (Hells Gate) Geothermal Reserve can host up to 20 graduate students. The Hells Gate Management team will construct and co-ordinate a comprehensive 2-week educational programme based on the learning objectives and desired outcomes of the group. 

The educational programme will provide an invaluable learning experience and insight into Maoritanga for the international students, and will include a variety of tourism products and experiences relevant to Maori Culture and history.

The theory portion of the programme will be enhanced and reinforced with a variety of hands-on practical activities and visits to places of local historical, educational and spiritual importance.

Initial Outline of Itinerary:

The graduate’s programme will include: 

• Historical overview of the Maori and the great migration to New Zealand.
• Overview of the tribes of New Zealand, their area’s of influence and differences
• Maori Mythology and Baskets of Knowledge
• Pre-European Maori way of life
• Impact of the European Settlers on the Maori – past and present
• The resurgence of the Maori culture and identity since the 1980’s
• Maori and the 21st Century

Product included in Experience:

The various operators that can be incorporated into the educational programme are:

Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve and Wai Ora Spa

Hells Gate, Tikitere is a unique place of extreme contrasts. You walk past     steaming fumeroles and pools of boiling mud so violent, they are unnerving. No need to heed the warning signs, you want to hug the path!

And yet it is a place of wonderful beauty – native fauna and birds so tame they will sit on your arm to feed. You will see remarkable formations and colours, cascading hot water and unearthly vistas.

As New Zealand’s only Maori owned thermal park, Hells Gate is of major importance to the Ngati Rangiteaorere tribe who have interacted with this land and it’s unique geothermal features for more than 700 years.

The Maori name for the thermal park, as well as the surrounding area is Tikitere.  This name was given to the area approximately 650 years ago when a young Maori Princess called Hurutini threw herself into one of the hot boiling pools as her husband the Chief was abusive and showed her no respect.

Hurutini died in the pool that bears her name today.  Her body was found floating in the pool by her mother who on finding her cried out a lament of sad chant “Aue e tere nei tiki” here lies my precious one – Tikitere.

All carved gates reflect the special aspects of the area.  At the top of the main gate is a carving representing Rangiteaorere who was the chief of the tribe some 500 years ago.  The legs of the gate represent on the left – Tamatekapua the chief of the Te Arawa people, who was the father of Rangiteaorere and on the right – Toroa the chief of the Tuhoe people from Waikaremoana, the tribe from which Rangiteaorere’s mother came from.

Feel the soft hot water of the Sulphur Lake and the finest geothermal mud packs. See steam vents, sulphur fumaroles, erupting waters. New Zealand’s only accessible mud volcano, boiling mud pools and the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere.

Walk through rugged, violent landscape then beautiful bush opening to wide steaming pools. The 50 acres that make up the Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve gives visitors a unique insight into New Zealand’s geothermal and cultural history.

We the people of Tuhourangi – Ngati Wahiao (a Maori family group) have lived in and around the geothermal activity of Whakarewarewa for over 300 years.

Our history is rich with traditions and legends of a strong people that survived a long sea voyage to Aotearoa, New Zealand.  Legends of our people exploring a new land making it our home and living in harmony with a sometimes harsh environment.

Some of our ancestors survived the terrifying eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, only to settle amongst the geysers, mud pools, hot springs and steam vents of Te Whakarewarewa.  We made this area our home and with respect for the land always in mind, have made a success of living along side the geothermal wonderland of Whakarewarewa.

We invite you, our guests to join us at Whakarewarewa, The Thermal Village, to experience the unique lifestyle of our people, in a natural, living, village setting.

Join us in song and dance and listen to the history and legends of our people.

The people of Tuhourangi – Ngati Wahiao, the people of Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, New Zealand.

The Buried Village

Nobody would have believed in June 10 1886, that an outpouring of the Earth’s fury would shatter the serenity enjoyed by the inhabitants of Te Wairoa,  Few would have dreamed as the eighth wonder of the world – fantastic Pink and White Terraces – sparkled in the moonlight, events deep in the ground were menacingly unfolding.  Violent and unexpected, the eruption was New Zealand’s greatest natural disaster.

For more than four terrifying hours, rocks, ash and boiling hot mud bombarded the peaceful village.  The fiery glow in the night sky and the thunderous roar of the explosions were seen and heard as far away as Auckland.

The Museum of Te Wairoa tells the chronological story of lives, lives lost, events and effect s of the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. 

A Journey through time including; excavated artefacts and exhibits, photographs, models, recorded events and a new audio-visual presentation that recreates the thunderous calamity of 1886.

Our tour guides represent our strong cultural perspective, and uniqueness.,  Our guides are proud Tuhourangi, descendants of the original guides.

You will see that we occupy the Bath House a building with a fascinating past as the New Zealand Government's first major investment into the tourism industry, and now one of New Zealand's most recognised architectural icons.

As you explore our building you'll be surprised at what you'll find!  Enjoy a state-of-the-art cinema experience, unique in New Zealand, that will surprise and thrill as you travel through time.

Learn about the fascinating history, mythology and geology of the Rotorua area. A great opportunity to learn and discover the essence of our city and surrounding region, with live action and computer enhanced imagery, this fifteen minute production is a must-see for visitors to Rotorua.

Te Arawa are tangata whenua (original inhabitants) of the Rotorua District.

In this stunning exhibition you are invited to journey through time with the people of Te Arawa, from the ancient homeland of Hawaiki through to modern day Rotorua. Along the way you will encounter some of the great leaders and legendary figures which have guided the Te Arawa tribe to its prominent position in Maori society today.

A unique opportunity to view the fabulous collection of ancient taonga (treasures) entrusted to the museum by Te Arawa.

The New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute

Local Maori guides will be proud to share with you the beauty and history of Te Whakarewarewa thermal valley. Follow in the footsteps of Guide Rangi, Guide Sophia, Bella, Maggie Papakura and other famous guides of the past. Share in their heritage as handed down through the generations.

The Tour includes:

• History of the migration of the Maori People
• Tour of the Institute and Arts and Crafts Gallery
• Interact with Maori carvers, weavers and sculptors at work
• A visit to Rotowhio Marae our sacred meeting house
• A visit to our Kiwi House
• A tour of the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley

Tamaki Maori Village

Visit a recreated pre-European village located 15 minutes out of Rotorua city.  The village scene and programmes paint a clear picture of the lifestyle and traditions of Maori existence in pre-European times through to modern day contemporary lifestyle and the sacrifices to dramatic changes suffered in order to survive.

Enjoy the wide variety of options on offer at the village from in-depth guided tours, the tribal cafe, cultural performances, feasting and the exciting atmosphere of the tribal arts and crafts marketplace.

See a recreated pre-European village located 15 minutes out of Rotorua city.  The village scene and programmes paint a clear picture of the lifestyle and traditions of Maori existence in pre-European times through to modern day contemporary lifestyle and the sacrifices to dramatic changes suffered in order to survive.

Enjoy the wide variety of options on offer at the village from in-depth guided tours, the tribal cafe, cultural performances, feasting and the exciting atmosphere of the tribal arts and crafts marketplace.

Mokoia Island

Mokoia Island is a special place 2km off the shores of Lake Rotorua, which has become home for some of New Zealand's most endangered species and is one of the most important wildlife refuges in the Bay of Plenty.

The island's fertile soils saw it used by the Te Arawa people for growing food crops, especially kumara. This resulted in most of the bush being burned and cleared and the steep slopes being cut into terraces. However, many native trees were also planted such as karaka, totara, whau and puriri. In the early 1800s, visiting missionaries planted a wide variety of crops and trees but today the only remnants of these are a few fruit trees and some poplars.

Perhaps the most important impact on the Mokoia environment by European settlers was the accidental introduction of the Norway rats which were already well established by the year the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Mice also hitched a ride to the island about the time that people introduced cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and, perhaps worse of all, cats. Amazingly though, neither possums nor stoats ever made it to the island.

Over centuries Mokoia has been the subject of many episodes of ownership dispute and invasion. Although this century has been no exception there has been less bloodshed as the conflict moved to the courts in 1916. Eventually, the Maori land court awarded the island (motu) to four tribes which now administer the wildlife refuge as a trust board.

Rotoiti Tours

Located on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, conclude your educational programme with an overnight marae stay at Rakeiao Marae – a truly unique traditional experience.  A very sacred performance takes place upon arrival at the Marae known as the Wero (challenge). Followed by the Karanga (call), speeches and Hongi (greeting). The Marae is our Turangawaewae (standing ground). It is here, where we, the Maori, best express ourselves.

Let the local tribes people walk you through time to learn of the pride of the Maori, “our story” through song and dance. Become a part of our living history through the eyes of the Rangatahi (young), from the heart of the Kaumatua (old).

Te Kura Kaupapa 

The 2-week educational programme may conclude (by special request) with an overnight stay on an authentic Marae in the Rotorua region, where the students will be able to interact with Maori and gain further insight and knowledge into Maoritanga and protocol in a real life situation.