The Rise of Tourism in Whakarewarewa
Whakarewarewa is named after a haka performed by the war party of Tūhourangi leader, Wāhiao. Its full name, Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te–ope–taua-a-Wāhiao, means “the leaping up of the war party of Wāhiao,” describing the actions of warriors repeatedly jumping into the air. Once only used for the hill where they performed, the name now includes the entire village.
The hot springs and steam vents were always used for cooking, but people only lived in the valley occasionally. Permanent settlement began in the 1860s when Ngāti Whakaue chief, Mohi Moke Aterea, moved there, followed by a large group of Ngāti Wāhiao in 1878.
In 1870, a visit by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, sparked the first wave of tourism. Newspaper reports of his trip spread news of the healing thermal waters and soon travellers from around the world wanted to see Rotorua for themselves.
By 1880, around 60 to 80 Ngāti Wāhiao people lived in Whakarewarewa, assisting travellers and those seeking cures. Before a bridge was built, they carried visitors across the Puarenga Stream via stepping stones. To manage the growing crowds, a formal system was set up in 1884: visitors paid three shillings for entry and a guide, one shilling a day for bathing, and six shillings a week for accommodation. Fines were also introduced to protect the environment from damage. Many tourists, however, complained about what they saw as high prices.
In the 1870s and 1880s, with no hotels available, families rented out their homes much like a modern-day Airbnb. These packages included a guide and the use of natural hot springs for both cooking and bathing. One homeowner’s records show he charged guests 10 shillings a week, once earning nearly 10 pounds for hosting three guests – a significant amount of money at the time.
In 1885, a footbridge replaced the stepping stones. This was perfectly timed, as the 1886 Tarawera eruption soon forced many Tūhourangi people to move to Whakarewarewa. The eruption also destroyed the Pink and White Terraces, causing tourists to shift their attention to the geysers and culture of the village instead.
By 1890, tourism had grown to 2,500 people per year. To handle the growth, the Geyser Hotel was built in 1892, followed by a bridge for horse-drawn carriages in 1897. When the railway reached Rotorua in 1894, the journey from Auckland became much faster and easier.
A major change happened in 1896 when the government bought 1,024 of the 1,041 acres of land. This area became known as the Government Thermal Reserve. Most of what the tourists wanted to view, apart from the village, was now government-owned. While tourists were pleased, believing the government would improve facilities, the villagers were no longer leading the way.
The way tourism was managed in Whakarewarewa was changed forever...
