Rotorua

Rotorua is a spa resort on New Zealand’s North Island and has 54,900 inhabitants (2005). It is situated in the Bay of Plenty. The associated District includes Teike the Waikato region and is the administrative seat of the Rotorua District.

The Rotorua District is located in the northern foothills of the central volcanic plateau in the central North Island. The entire district is known for its geothermal activity. There is, for example, many different geysers, some of which can emit up to 20m high fountains of hot water.

The city of Rotorua itself is located on the southern coast and is the second largest after Lake Taupo on the north island. 80 kilometers further north lies the city of Tauranga, 105 kilometers northwest of Hamilton and 82 kilometers southwest of Taupo.

Located in two different regions of the district, it has no direct connection to the sea and is south of Taupo District, west of the South Waikato district, north of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and east of the Whakatane District Council.

Inhabitants

The majority of the population of the district lives in Rotorua itself, only about 10,000 of the approximate 70,000 people live in smaller towns such as Mamaku, Reporoa and Kaingaroa. Due to the high thermal activity of Rotorua, most houses are heated by geothermal energy. In addition, a permanent smell of sulfur is typical of the city.

History

The place name Rotorua has its origins in the language of the Maori, and is composed of the words rotu (= lake) and rua (= two) together and thus freely translated means “Second Lake”. Today Rotorua was only founded in 1830 by the Maori who moved inland. In the 1860s the area was an important venue for the New Zealand wars. Twenty years later, the area around Rotorua was a “special town district”.

A special city district was declared, in order to privilege Rotorua’s potential as a health resort. In 1886 they were not far from Tarawera, the Pink and White Terraces and a popular destination, which was completely destroyed following the eruption of the Tarawera volcano.

Economy

Far the most important industry is tourism. Today, the Pohutu Geyser, Whakarewarewa thermal fields and the only academy of Maori carving are the main attractions. In addition, the Botanical Garden has a certain reputation.

Also at that time both Maori and Europeans were founded by Te Wairoa, a small village near Rotorua, which was used until 1886 as a starting point for the White and Pink Terraces, which is now visited more often
Namely, the village was excavated and it was set up as a museum on the history of the settlement.