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SIDE STORY A History of Maori Women Guides, Rotorua Museum |
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For more than 100 years, Maori women guides have shown millions of visitors around Rotorua's thermal areas. The names of some of the finest guides are legendry; Sophia Hinerangi, Maggie Papakura, Maggie's sister Bella Papakura, and Rangitiaria Dennan (Guide Rangi). These women are revered for their knowledge of Maori culture and their guiding expertise, along with their humour, charm, and command of both the Maori and English languages.
In the late 1880s and 1890s the guides were self-employed. In 1910 the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, which by then owned the major part of the Whakarewarewa Reserve, required guides to be licensed. Guides had to be at least 18 years, and along with cultural knowledge and languages, had to pay an annual fee of 10 shillings. |
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