22 Apr Geothermal Activity, Maori Culture and Sheep
Monday 13th January 2020, 6am our cruise ship MS Noordam docked at Port of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, for an excursion to Rotorua, New Zealand.
MS Noordam docked at Port of Tauranga Cruise Terminal
The bus trip to Rotorua takes an hour on State Highways #2 and #33. I managed to capture a few different scenes along the way from the moving bus.
Tauranga Beach
Lake Rotorua
Our first stop in Rotorua was the Agrodome. We were surprised to have booked a tour that included a sheep farm, given we’ve visited plenty of sheep farms and witnessed sheep shearing many of times in New South Wales, Australia. However the Agrodome provided a very different experience – a one person comedy show, …. with sheep ….
Introduction to 20 varieties of sheep, with a short humorous explanation of each
How to shear a sheep as part of a comedy routine
…. audience participation ….
This young Korean guy gave our host his phone in exchange for a sheep
He thought he was taking home the Merino ram from the top of the podium, but instead won a stuffed “Merino” lamb toy. His phone was returned to him.
These three thought they would be drinking the fresh milk, from a cow they had seen milked side of stage … until the lambs appeared
….. dog & ducks ….
A young sheep dog in-training “herding” ducks. Hilarious!
Outside, an experienced dog at work
Tourism is the largest industry in the Rotorua region, with over 3 million visitors a year. 30% of the visitors are from New Zealand and 70% are international (rotoruanz.com).
Two of the many things Rotorua is famous for, Maori Culture and geothermal activity came together at our next destination, Te Puia.
At the entrance of Te Puia is a large art piece.
Heketanga-a-Rangi (Heavenly Origins) – tells the Maori story of creation
A circle of twelve poles with carvings top and bottom, weaved together with wire mesh, symbolise the sky and earth. The carvings represent various Maori gods (top – heavenly gods) (bottom – earthly gods).
Haumia, god of natural foods. Carving at the bottom of one of 12 poles
The stone positioned in the centre of the “12 pole circle” symbolises the earth
A Marae (Maori community, gathering area) consists of a group of buildings, an open space and a Wharenui (meeting house).
Wharenui (meeting house) left of centre
Inside Wharenui
Internal detail
While carvings and weavings would normally be specific to each tribe, this exhibition house has carving and weaving contributions from many different Maori tribes.
Since all of the carvings and weaving have a meaning, akin to a written language, it was surprising to find that the painted designs are a modern addition to the meeting house and therefore have no historical meaning.
Wharenui external details
Pataka (storehouse) for food storage and safe place for other valuables
Also on site at Te Puia is the New Zealand Maori Arts and Craft Institute, offerings tertiary qualifications in traditional and modern Maori arts.
Carving using native wood
Warehouse full of New Zealand native wood for carving projects
Carvings for sale
Weaving products to wear
Traditional craft using new materials of stone, metal, plaster
Since a third of the population in the region is Maori, it is understandable why Rotorua has a strong emphasis on conserving and promoting Maori culture.
Te Puia is in the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, which includes the famous Pohutu Geyser.
And then for something different, lunch was provided at a local hotel followed by a traditional Maori concert.
Maggie with Maori performers
Back on the bus, we took a short tour around Government Gardens in Rotorua.
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa – Tudor style Old Bath House
King George V Memorial
World War I & II Cenotaph
Rotorua Tourist Centre
Apparently there are 17 lakes in the region, of which Lake Rotorua is the largest.
Lake Rotorua looking very different on the return journey
Well it’s been fun, but we’re out of time. We’re off to Auckland … remember … the once capital of New Zealand.
No Comments