Whakarewarewa Area

Address: Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village, Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

Website: https://www.whakarewarewa.com

Hours: Daily; guided tours typically start from about 9:00am with last tours mid-afternoon (check website for current times)

Admission: Adult guided village tours typically from NZD 45-60; cultural performances may be ticketed

Whakarewarewa is a living Māori village and geothermal valley on the edge of Rotorua in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty Region, known for its hot springs, geysers and Māori cultural tourism.

The site combines active geothermal features - geysers, steaming vents, hot pools and mud pools - with a residential Māori community that offers guided cultural performances, carving and weaving demonstrations and village tours. Visitors commonly attend kapa haka performances and guided walks to see thermal areas safely.

The settlement has been continuously occupied by local Māori for generations and developed into a visitor destination during the 20th century as interest in Rotorua’s geothermal attractions grew. Local iwi manage much of the cultural interpretation and hospitality offered to visitors.

Whakarewarewa sits within the urban area of Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island, a short drive or walk from Rotorua central city and located amid a landscape of lakes and geothermal terrain.

• Living village: The site is a living Māori village and an active geothermal area where people still live, cook and use hot springs daily; cultural tours are run by local iwi (tribes).

What to See#

• Thermal Valley: Thermal valley and geyser field containing active hot springs, mud pools and steam vents that form most of the geothermal interest in the area.
• Whakarewarewa village: Living Māori village where local families maintain homes and offer cultural performances, guided tours and hospitality to visitors.
• Geysers: Pohutu and other active geysers within the Whakarewarewa geothermal area, visible during guided visits and tours.

Whakarewarewa Village sits in central Rotorua on Tūtanekai Street near Kuirau Park. It is an easy 10-15 minute walk from Rotorua’s city centre; local buses and taxis also serve the area. Follow the village website for booking guided tours and combined experiences with nearby geothermal attractions.

• Book guided tours in advance - the village is managed by the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao community and daily visitor numbers are limited.
• Attend a cultural performance (poi, haka, carving demonstrations) to understand the living traditions rather than just the geothermal features.
• Combine the visit with Te Puia (Te Whakarewarewa) for Pohutu Geyser views; confirm which experiences are included in any combined ticket.