Te Whakarewarewa is a geothermal field used by Maoris as a fortress as early as the 14th Century – spitting steam, smelling of sulphur and erupting mud it would have been a pretty intimidating area to try and do battle in. For the Maori people who lived here it was very convenient – they used the hot ground for heating, cooking and drying things and the hot water for bathing. The sulphur smell dies away after a while. There are also more than 500 hot spring pools, so that would have been a nice addition to any settlement.

These days the spouting geysers, mudpools and steam remains and there are some important Maori cultural museums and recreated villages.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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