Whakarewarewa

Whakarewarewa is a semi-rural geothermal area located in Rotorua, New Zealand.

It is situated within the Taupō Volcanic Zone on the North Island. The name is a shortened version of Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao. This translates to "The gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao." This area is significant because of its intense geothermal activity and its deep cultural history. For centuries, the land has provided natural resources for the local people.

The geothermal system here is incredibly complex. There are approximately 500 pools located throughout the area. Most of these are alkaline chloride hot springs. The landscape also contains at least 65 geyser vents. A geyser is a vent in the Earth's surface that ejects water and steam. Currently, seven of these geysers are considered active. Many of these features sit on Geyser Flat.

Most active geysers on this flat are aligned on a common fissure. A fissure is a long, narrow opening or crack in the ground. Because they share this system, the activity of one geyser can affect another.

Different geysers exhibit unique behaviors and patterns. Pōhutu Geyser is one of the most famous features. It erupts approximately every hour and reaches significant heights.

The Prince of Wales Feathers Geyser, also called Te Tohu, sits very close to Pōhutu. Before 1901, it was known as the Indicator. This name came from its habit of erupting just before Pōhutu. Sometimes, Waikorohihi Geyser erupts a discontinuous jet, which triggers the Prince of Wales Feathers, followed finally by Pōhutu. Other geysers like Kereru erupt only every few days or weeks.

The relationship between these vents is often driven by wind and water flow. For example, there is a direct connection between Te Horu Geyser and Pōhutu. Much of the air-cooled water from Pōhutu falls into the Te Horu vent. This creates a local belief regarding wind direction. People suggest Pōhutu is more active when the wind blows from the south. This is because a south wind blows the erupted water toward the north. A north wind blows the water back, which cools the system and delays the next eruption. This cooling effect can slow down the next cycle of activity.

History shows how human activity can change these natural systems. In the past, residents in Rotorua used shallow wells to extract hot water. They used this geothermal fluid for domestic and commercial heating. These wells were often only 100 meters deep. This extraction caused many thermal features to be adversely affected. For instance, the Kereru Geyser stopped having large eruptions between 1972 and 1988. To fix this, a bore closure programme began in 1987 and 1988.

Workers cemented 106 wells shut near Pōhutu Geyser. They also shut 120 wells outside that radius. Since then, the geysers and hot springs have shown a pronounced recovery.

Whakarewarewa has been a home for Māori for a very long time. Around 1325, the area was the site of a Māori fortress called Te Puia. This stronghold was known as an impenetrable site. It was never successfully taken in battle.

Māori people have lived here ever since. They take full advantage of the valley's geothermal activity. They use the natural heat for both cooking and heating their homes. The area also hosts the Te Pākira Marae. This is a meeting place for several groups, including the Tūhourangi hapū.

The modern community of Tihiotonga-Whakarewarewa is diverse. According to the 2023 New Zealand census, the population was 873 people. This was a 13.2% increase from the 2018 census. The population is 54.0% European and 45.0% Māori. Many different languages are spoken, including English at 94.2% and Māori at 15.1%. The area also includes a school for students in Years 1 to 8. This school, Whakarewarewa School, first opened in 1902 as a native school. It remains a central part of the community today.