While staying at the Rydges Rotorua, we found ourselves right next door to a truly special place, Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village. This is no ordinary attraction. It’s home to the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been welcoming and sharing their unique way of life with visitors worldwide for over two hundred years. The village’s full name is Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Tauā A Wāhiao, which translates to “The Uprising of the War Parties of Wāhiao.”
Naturally, Finlay and I couldn’t resist visiting first thing in the morning after a fantastic breakfast at our hotel. It was just around the corner, and an easy 5-minute stroll and roll to get there. The visitor information welcomed us in with wide glass sliding doors.
Accessible Parking and Guided Tour
There are two designated accessible car parks right outside the visitor centre, where tickets for the guided village tour are available. We absolutely recommend the guided tour as it’s a rich cultural experience that includes a traditional Māori cultural performance. The energy, storytelling, and connection to the land are truly moving.
The guided tour begins at the visitor centre, takes you through the Memorial Archway, over the bridge (built in 1885), and to the Wāhiao Meeting House. We were advised that there would be certain parts that were not wheelchair access, and these were pointed out on the map.
Upon our arrival, we were reminded of how deeply authentic and living the village truly is, as we respectfully observed a tangi taking place. A procession of mourners made their way to the Meeting House to farewell one of their own, offering a poignant glimpse into the cultural and spiritual heart of the community.
Cultural Riches and Natural Wonders
As we followed the tour up the main street, we stopped at the Catholic Church, built in 1905. Many of the village’s families are Catholic, and it’s here that some are laid to rest in the tombs surrounding the church. Due to the ongoing geothermal activity beneath the earth, the bodies of those who have passed are placed in tombs above ground, a practice that’s unique to the area.
As we explored, we noticed some uneven surfaces and gentle gradients along the way. For those using a manual wheelchair, we recommend an attachment like a FreeWheel or a power-assist clip-on to make the journey smoother, or simply having a companion ready to lend a hand if needed. That said, it was heartening to see that most of the shops and homes in the village had built-in ramps or level entryways, which made accessing the area much easier.
Nearby, we reached the communal bath area, where hot water channels covered with plates allowed pedestrians and wheelchair users to cross safely. It’s here you can reach down into the channels and feel the warm, oily water, rich in natural minerals. For generations, locals have used these geothermal waters to soothe ailments such as arthritis, lumbago, and rheumatism.
At the Pōhutu Geyser Lookout, we were treated to an incredible view, fully accessible and breathtaking. This is where we get an exceptional vantage point to observe three of New Zealand’s most active geysers: Pōhutu Geyser, known as the largest and most famous geyser in New Zealand, Pōhutu (meaning “Big Splash”) erupts multiple times daily, reaching impressive heights.
The first people to settle in the village discovered they could cook food using the natural heat from the ground. It’s a method that’s been used ever since. You can try some for yourself at the Whaka Café, including their world-famous hāngī pie!
Don’t Miss the Champagne Pool
One of the highlights for us was visiting Parekohuru, the largest hot spring in the village. This impressive pool is known not just for its size but for its unique activity. Every 45 minutes to an hour, the water begins to pulsate and rise, as if it’s breathing.
This rhythmic movement, along with the bubbling that occurs on the surface, has earned it the nickname ‘The Champagne Pool.’ The sight is both calming and mesmerising, and it gives you a real sense of the powerful geothermal forces at work beneath the village.
Parekohuru is where we had the chance to taste sweetcorn cooked in the pool. There’s nothing quite like food prepared in geothermal steam!
It’s also used to cook leaf and root vegetables, as well as seafood, another incredible example of how the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people live in harmony with the geothermal landscape.
Visiting Whakarewarewa was a truly enriching and accessible experience, filled with history, culture, stunning geothermal landscapes, and delicious kai (food).
If you’re in Rotorua, don’t miss this living village where Māori heritage thrives and visitors are welcomed with warmth and pride.
Exploring the Geothermal Trails by Wheelchair
Whakarewarewa is also the starting point for the Whaka Geothermal Trails, a network of boardwalks weaving through bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and mineral terraces.
We found the trails impressively wheelchair accessible. While parts are not recommended for wheelchair users, Finlay’s powerchair navigated the majority of it with ease, and we didn’t encounter anything that would stop us in our tracks.
The boardwalk meanders through the hotpools and gives room in places to relax and take it all in.
