Whakarewarewa’s Geothermal Uses

As soon as I passed through the entrance to Whakarewarewa Village within Rotorua, pockets of rising steam wafted the unmistakeable sulphur odour over the site. I wandered from bubbling pools where 120 degree Celsius temperatures were normal. Korotiotio (featured photo) stays at this temperature consistently.

Hot water trickles across into these communal baths where the whole family bathe twice daily, morning and night.

Putting this natural phenomenon to good use, the Maori villagers used one pool exclusively to sterilize linen and nappies; another pool for bathing; steam boxes for cooking.

Steam box hangi where villages cook food in the traditional way