Central North Island

The centre of the North Island is the land of fire. It is dominated by volcanic cones and great lakes formed by eruptions long ago.

At the bottom of the region is Mount Ruapehu.

Two national parks combined, the district creates a natural arena for exploration, sport and relaxation. Scattered throughout are three active volcanoes, where you will encounter moonscape craters, native forest, lava formations, glaciers, crystal clear rivers and lakes, perfect for winter skiing or summer hiking.

Traveling just 1 ¼ hours north you arrive at Lake Taupo, where just about everywhere you look you will see a volcano. When thinking about Lake Taupo, think ‘fresh’. Fresh water, fresh snow, fresh air, fresh trout… Full of adventure, attractions, and of course trout fishing, Lake Taupo is the perfect place for fun and relaxation.

80km North of Taupo is Rotorua. New Zealand’s tourism icon. Rotorua is spiritual home to the Maori of Te Arawa, and is set amongst crystal clear crater lakes. You will experience some amazing natural earth forces, bubbling mudpools, spouting geysers and natural geothermal mineral pools… an extraordinary slice of New Zealand.

Another hour north and you arrive in the Waikato, where you can experience two landscapes. One above ground, the other below. Above, the region is blessed with lush green landscape. Below, underground caves, full with columns of limestone, and tiny glow-worms. The Waitomo Caves are full of walks and adventure trips for you to view this spectacular universe underground.

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ROTORUA

Rotorua is located at the heart of the North Island of New Zealand, in the aptly named 'Bay of Plenty' region. The Rotorua region covers 261,700 hectares. Rotorua is also part of the Central Volcanic Plateau. Rotorua is 297 metres above sea level.

Getting to Rotorua is easy either by plane, train or road. Located just 230 kilometres (145 miles) south of Auckland, Rotorua is a short 45 minute flight, or a pleasant three hour drive down the Thermal Explorer Highway. Direct one hour flights can link you from Christchurch International Airport, and there are connecting flights from other domestic airports around New Zealand.

Major state highways networks pass through Rotorua and make travelling by road straightforward. Self-drive options allow you the freedom to come and go from Rotorua as you please.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Population:	Rotorua has a population of almost 70,000 people
Climate:	The Rotorua District enjoys a temperate climate. It has a relatively high altitude (290m/950ft) resulting in daily maximum temperatures of 20-27 C (68-78F) in the summer months and around 10-12 C (50-55 F) during winter.
Cultural Mix:	The number of Rotorua residents in the European ethnic group fell from 43,836 in 1991 to 43,497 in 2001. 35.6% of Rotorua residents are in the Mäori ethnic group compared with 14.7% for New Zealand as a whole. This proportion is projected to continue increasing in the future. This is reflected in the fact that 56.2% of under-15 year-olds in Rotorua are of Mäori descent. Only 4.1% (2,469) of Rotorua residents are in the Pacific Islands ethnic group compared with 6.5% nationally, but the overall number of Pacific Islands people in Rotorua has increased substantially since 1991. Only 3.2% (1,947) of Rotorua residents are in the Asian ethnic group compared with 6.6% for New Zealand overall, but the number of Asian residents in Rotorua has more than doubled to in the past decade.
Famous For:	From the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere like nowhere else. Lazy drifts of steam are emitted from cracks, crevices and culverts in parks, gardens, pathways and even residential streets. These constant steam drifts, together with the distinctive scent of sulphur, let you know you are in Rotorua, New Zealand - the centre of an active thermal area.
Transport:	Auckland and Wellington are the closest international airports to Rotorua. Travel options to Rotorua include air, coach, train and self-drive. Air - Rotorua has daily air service links with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Rotorua airport is a 15 minute drive from the city. Coach - regular scheduled services operate from Auckland and Wellington and other North Island Centres Self-drive - Rotorua is about three hours drive from Auckland and about five hours drive from Wellington Once in Rotorua there is a range of bus, taxi, train, shuttle and rental vehicle services.
The people:	Musicians Sir Howard Morrison Renowned entertainer and Maori leader Howard Morrison was born in Rotorua in 1935 and educated at Te Aute College. He worked as a surveyor's assistant before forming the Howard Morrison Quartet in the 1950s. Other members of the original group were Noel King, Wi Wharekura and Gerry Merito. The group's first record, which included the songs "My Old Man's an All Black" and "Battle of Waikato", was released in 1958 and sold 78,000 copies. Actors Cliff Curtis International film star Cliff Curtis was born in Rotorua in 1968 and attended Western Heights High School. He worked for four years as a builder and glazier before breaking into the world of television and film. Cliff appeared in The Piano in 1992, followed by Desperate Remedies, a performance that won him a 1994 Best Supporting Actor in Film award in 1994. Temuera Morrison International film star Temuera Morrison was born in Rotorua in 1960. He performed in"Rangi's Catch", his first feature film, in 1972. "Other Halves" followed in 1984 and led to a 1986 GOFTA award for Best Supporting Actor. "Mauri", "Never Say Die" and "The Piano" were followed in 1994 by "Once Were Warriors", a film that catapulted Temuera to international stardom and earned him the NZ Film and Television Award for Best Actor in Film and Entertainer of the Year award in 1994. Sports personalities Dame Susan Devoy World squash champion Susan Elizabeth Anne Devoy was born in Rotorua in 1964. One of seven children, she attended school at St Mary's Convent and McKillop (now John Paul) College, learning to play squash at Geyser City Squash Club. Wayne "Buck" Shelford All Black legend Wayne Shelford was born in Rotorua in 1957. He was educated at Western Heights High School where he played in the first XV in 1973 and 1974. Buck played for Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools before he made his Auckland debut in 1982.

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Related Information

Itinerary Ideas – Britz Central North Island Tour Soak up all the highlights of the central North Island, including the Maori cultural capital Rotorua, magical Waitomo and the outdoors playground, Taupo.

Best of Every Region – Central North Island If you’re after an adventure-driven experience this area has it all including Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo.

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