Whakarewarewa’s Churches

The two competing churches, Catholic and Anglican, were located at opposite ends of the village. The Anglican church was established when many of the Anglican survivors (after the Mt Tarawera eruption of 1886), moved to the village to join family members.

Lake Tarawera’s Tuhourangi past

Lake Tawarwera was only a couple of kilometres from Buried Village and worth the trip, not only for the lush setting, but there was a clear view of notorious Mt Tarawera lurking silently on the horizon.

Buried Village

Te Wairoa was once a thriving village where both Maori and Pakeha flourished until June, 1886. Early that morning, earthquakes were followed by eruptions that continued for hours, covering Te Wairoa with two metres of mud and ash.

Te Wairoa buried Village

The following day was the first rainy day of my trip. I opened the bathroom window to let out the steam from a shower and the gassy volcanic smell of Rotorua seeped in. I found myself taking deep breaths as if addicted to the fumes.

I headed to the opposite side of Mt Tarawera from the boat cruise I took the previous day. Nearby stood the village of Te Wairoa, destroyed by Mt Tarawera’s eruption in 1886. Part of the destroyed site was excavated, revealing old Maori houses (whare), bottles, plates, and other tools of the times.