Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao

Yes, and again it´s about volcanos! Okay, more about volcanic activities, a very interesting topic, if you ask me. No, really! But even more impressive than the volcano are geysirs. They are probably the most interesting thing I saw since I´m in New Zealand.

But first about the place: Te Puia is only the name, which is used for the park. The regions name is Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao. In the region there are Geysirs, Mudpools, and even a small village of Maori (native New Zealanders). It means ´the gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao´. Long name? Absolutely!

Volcanos, geysirs und mudpools

The former village was built in he crater of a volcano. And there are many mudpools in Whakarewarewatanga, which is shorter Term for Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao. The mud from this pools is used for masks. But you should probably not go and get it for yourself, because the Mudpools are very deep and the mud is like quicksand. Oh, and you would get burned. These pools are almost cooking!

But if you ask me, I would tell you thet the geysirs were the most interesting! I saw two of them. We saw the Pohute, which is after our guide the biggest geysir in the whole southern hemisphere. And the Prince of Wales Feathers-Geysir we saw too. If you see that one it is and indicator that the bigger one is errupting soon. The Pohuto-Geysir can get till 30 (!) meters high, by the way. The Prince of Wales Feathers-Geysir is only getting up till seven meters.

Maori

And then there are Maori. Whakarewarewatanga was not the onliest place where we saw things about Maori. We were at the waitangi treaty grounds too. These are pretty popular fields. There one of the most important treats in New Zealands history got signed. Between Maori and europeans. The fields are in the Bay of islands, which are pretty popular too.

Maori came too New Zealand in the 13th century from other pacific islands. They don´t have such a long history like (for example) chinese people, but they have their own language. And a very interesting culture! There are many dances, like the Kapa Haka, a war dance which is still performed by the All Blacks (New Zealands Rugbyteam) before theitr games. It´s very impressive. You should see it!

All the best, Jana