Te Puia

Spectacular geothermal valley and home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, just five minutes from central Rotorua. Educational, interactive, and full of natural wonders.

From the moment you pass through the impressive Waharoa (gateway) to Te Puia, and see the Te Heketanga-a-Rangi monument of 12 skyscraping posts, you know you're entering a special world.

Geothermal Valley

One of the highlights of the 60 hectare thermal valley is the Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. Erupting up to 20 times a day and shooting water up to 30 metres into the air, Pohutu offers a spectacular photo opportunity. The extensive geothermal activity also includes bubbling mud pools and a naturally heated pool used for traditional cooking.

Kiwi & Nature

The area is famous for its natural beauty and for its conservation of the Kiwi. First established in 1976, the Kiwi house is a special dark area where the nocturnal bird is encouraged to roam, allowing you to see Kiwis during the day when they would normally sleep. Throughout the valley, you can also see many native trees and plants including the Pohutukawa and the Totara trees.

New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute

Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Maori Art And Crafts Institute, the country's most important cultural centre.  The national weaving school and carving schools teaches the ancient traditions of wood carving and flax weaving to ensure these skills continue to be passed through generations of Maori. As a visitor you can watch as the students learn their craft and can try flax weaving as part of Te Puia's Steambox Tour, which also includes a lunch cooked by steaming ingredients in a flax basket in one of the area's steam vents.

Guided Tours

A guided tour gives you the chance to learn more about the area's history and hear stories handed down through the generations. Tours can be combined with cultural performances, which run three times a day or, with an evening package that includes a concert and traditionally cooked hangi.

Bookings:

To make a booking, please visit Te Puia.

Opening Hours:

Wednesday - Sunday:  10.00am - 4.00pm