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    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    New Zealand

    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    CityCulture

    Ohinemutu is an inhabited Māori village on the northern edge of Rotorua's city centre, directly on the lakeshore. Families of the Ngāti Whakaue live here, and steam rises from the ground between the houses.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
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    5. New Zealand
    7. Rotorua
    9. Ohinemutu Māori Dorf
    Ohinemutu is an inhabited Māori village on the northern edge of Rotorua's city centre, directly on the lakeshore. Families of the Ngāti Whakaue live here, and steam rises from the ground between the houses.Highlights include the carved meeting house Tamatekapua and the Anglican St. Faith's Church, whose interior is adorned with Māori carvings and woven artworks. Please remember you are visiting a residential community here.

    Sights in Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Lakeland Queen
    Attraction

    1Lakeland Queen

    Paddle steamer for scenic cruises on Lake Rotorua, departing from the waterfront promenade not far from Ohinemutu.
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    Te Papaiouru Marae and Tamatekapua
    Attraction

    2Te Papaiouru Marae and Tamatekapua

    The Ngāti Whakaue marae in central Ohinemutu, opposite St Faith's Church. The carved meeting house Tamatekapua is named after the captain of the Te Arawa canoe; the current building reopened in 1943. The marae is an active gathering place: access is by invitation only or as part of guided tours.
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    St Faith's Anglican Church
    Church

    3St Faith's Anglican Church

    Anglican church on the lakeshore of Ohinemutu. Inside, it is adorned with Māori carvings and Tukutuku weaving; a stained-glass window depicts Christ in a Māori cloak, seemingly walking over Lake Rotorua. Dress respectfully and do not disturb services.
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    City walks in Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Ohinemutu: A Walk Through the Pulsing Heart of Māori Culture

    On this roughly two-hour tour, discover the historic Māori village of Ohinemutu in Rotorua. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Te Arawa, marvel at traditional carving and experience the unique symbiosis of life and geothermal nature. An unforgettable insight into New Zealand's Māori heritage.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (7)

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Number 8 Wire Cafe & Restaurant

    Cafe and restaurant at the northern end of Tutanekai Street, just a few minutes' walk from Ohinemutu, offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
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    2

    El Mexicano Zapata Cantina

    Mexican restaurant at the northern end of Tutanekai Street, just minutes from Ohinemutu.
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    A village of Ngāti Whakaue

    Ohinemutu has long been home to the Ngāti Whakaue, an Iwi of Te Arawa. The residents still use geothermal energy for cooking, bathing, and heating today.The meeting house Tamatekapua is named after the captain of the Arawa canoe, with which the ancestors of Te Arawa arrived in New Zealand. St. Faith's Church combines a European-style church with Māori carvings and Tukutuku weaving; from one window, you look out onto a figure of Christ in Māori attire, appearing to walk over the lake.

    Traveling locally

    Explore Ohinemutu on foot; it's just minutes from the city center. Don't park in the village; instead, use downtown or lakeside parking. For destinations like Te Puia or the Redwood Forest, use a bike, taxi, or car.

    Accommodations in Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

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      • 1Lakeland Queen3 days
      • 2Te Papaiouru Marae and Tamatekapua4 days
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    Nearby

    Central North Island

    Central North Island

    The Central North Island is New Zealand's volcanic country. Between Rotorua, Lake Taupō, and Tongariro National Park, the ground steams, mud pools bubble, and geysers erupt into the air. Also in the west are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.Here you'll find hiking trails over volcanic craters, thermal baths, lakes for fishing and paddling, as well as places where Māori culture, especially that of the Te Arawa in Rotorua, is visible in everyday life.
    Government Gardens

    Government Gardens

    The Government Gardens are Rotorua's largest city park, located directly on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Its centerpiece is the half-timbered building of the old Bath House, which houses the Rotorua Museum. Surrounding it, you'll find lawns, rose gardens, bowling and croquet greens, and steaming earth in several spots.The Ngāti Whakaue provided the land in the 19th century for the establishment of a health resort. Right next door are the Polynesian Spa and the lakeside path to Sulphur Point.
    Rotorua

    Rotorua

    Rotorua smells of sulfur, and that's part of the experience: The city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua lies in the middle of a geothermal area. Between pavements and front gardens, steam rises from the ground; in Te Puia, the Pōhutu Geyser erupts; and in Kuirau Park, mud pools bubble without an entrance fee.Rotorua is also the center of the Te Arawa and one of the best places in New Zealand to experience Māori culture, whether in the living village of Whakarewarewa, in lakeside Ohinemutu, or at a cultural evening with Hāngī.
    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    South of Rotorua, two very different worlds lie directly next to each other: the steaming geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa with Te Puia and the inhabited Māori village, and the Whakarewarewa Forest with its tall Californian coastal redwoods.In the forest, you can hike short and long trails, go mountain biking, or cross the suspension bridges of the Redwoods Treewalk. Early morning is the quietest time here.
    Bay of Plenty

    Bay of Plenty

    The Bay of Plenty stretches along the North Island's northern coast from the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Long sandy beaches, the port city of Tauranga, and the volcanic cone Mauao in Mount Maunganui characterize its western part; inland, mainly kiwifruit and avocados are grown. Off the coast near Whakatāne lies the active volcanic island Whakaari (White Island); tours have not taken place there since the December 2019 eruption.When engaging in activities in volcanic and geothermal areas, as well as when swimming in the sea, always adhere to local warnings and restrictions. General information can be found in the travel and safety advisories of the Auswärtiges Amt, linked on the New Zealand page.

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