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FAST FACT:
Covering seven acres, the White Terrace was the larger, tumbling into Lake Rotomahana from a height of 30 metres, with a frontage of 240 metres. The Pink Terrace was smaller and lower. |
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This fabulous and informative dramatisation of the geological and Maori history of Rotorua included a recreation of the magnificent Pink and White Terraces on-screen, along with the early history of the Bath House. When Mount Tarawera erupted (on screen of course!), I got a taste of a real eruption, as the theatre building and seats shook as well! I had fun spotting Te Arawa actor, Temuera Morrison (of 'Once were Warriors' fame), in four different roles, as diverse as a great tohunga or spiritual leader, to a Bath House boiler attendant!
Next stop was the permanent exhibition, The Treasures of Te Arawa, dealing with the spiritual world of the Te Arawa people, their migration from Hawaiiki and settlement in the Rotorua district. My guide Charlz explained how Maori culture was an oral culture, with history told by way of chants, song, dance, crafts, weaving and carving.
This permanent exhibition is a hugely popular way of learning about Maori culture. The original flute from the poignant love story of the Maori maiden Hinemoa and Tutanekai, is one of the ancient treasures on display. This story is one of the most famous Te Arawa stories, sort of a Maori version of Romeo and Juliet, but with a happier ending.
[ more about Hinemoa and Tutanekai
 ]
Moving through the Museum we came to He Tira Kahurangi. A Group of Precious Women, an exhibition dedicated to the generations of Maori guides who have made their living around the geothermal regions of Tarawera and Rotorua.
[ more about the guides at Rotorua Museum]
Another permanent exhibition, called Taking the Cure, is a fascinating walk through the building's history as a "Great South Seas Spa". The exhibition explains the history of therapeutic treatments offered at the spa, and takes a look at some of the historic treatment rooms. Opened in 1908, the Bath House drew people from all over the world to "take the cure" in the waters drawn from nearby geothermal springs.There were still many great stories at Rotorua Museum, but I had a spot of archaeological work to do, discovering Rotorua's Buried Village.
[ more about the Rotorua Bath House]
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