Ohinemutu

Rotorua
Rotorua featuring a park and a hot spring
At this interesting heritage village beside Lake Rotorua see a traditional Māori meeting house, including an unusual church, and experience modern-day Māori life.

Ohinemutu is a small part of the city of Rotorua where ancient and modern Māori culture lives on. Providing an insight into both the past and present way of Māori life, it’s a cultural experience not to be missed. Just like the rest of the Rotorua city center, Ohinemutu sees small pockets of geothermal activity and has wonderful views of Lake Rotorua.

Take a walk along the lake from the center of Rotorua to reach the small settlement. Home to the Ngāti Whakaue people, Ohinemutu is centered on the fascinating Te Papaiouru Marae. A “marae” is a traditional complex of a meeting house with courtyard and any other associated community buildings.

Looking at the intricately painted buildings with wood-carved decorations, you can see how important these are to the local community. The most striking of all is the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house. The meeting house was named after the legendary chief and captain of the Te Arawa “waka” (canoe), which brought the first inhabitants to New Zealand. Notice the inlaid paua shells and the delicate carvings that adorn the façade.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the unusual St. Faith’s Church, which was built on the lake’s shore in 1914. Its Tudor-style exterior, common in England, gives way to an interior with a strong Māori influence. Its most famous feature is a stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ wearing a Māori cloak. The position of the window gives the impression of Jesus walking on the lake’s surface.

As you stroll around the village, hear and smell the geothermal activity, bubbling up through the Earth’s surface. The site of Ohinemutu was chosen to take advantage of these thermal waters for bathing, cooking and heating.

Ohinemutu is only a short walk from central Rotorua. If driving, there is a small parking lot next to the Māori handcrafts shop. The meeting house is not open to the public, but the church is. A donation is kindly requested. As a living and working suburb, Ohinemutu is permanently open and free of charge, but the villagers ask you to respect their privacy as you walk around.


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Ohinemutu Hotel Deals

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
3 out of 5
463 Old Taupo Road (South End), Rotorua
The price is ¥8,074 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥8,074
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Rotorua. Enjoy free parking, WiFi, and an arcade/game room. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (315 reviews)
"Nice and clean with great staff"

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2024

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
4 out of 5
94-98 Lake Road, Rotorua
The price is ¥14,274 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥14,274
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tribal Lights Cultural Theatre ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (386 reviews)
"Check in was easy and fast. Front desk staff was super friendly. Ask him for the best breakfast joint in town."

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2024

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥16,478 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥16,478
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,012 reviews)
Great
"Almost everything was amazing, comfy beds, great location. One problem, is they still clean glasses and cups in room by rinsing them, disgusting, this should stop immediately. We asked for all fresh cups and glasses and they replaced the dirty ( but placed to drink from) ones very quickly."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Rydges Rotorua
AWA Hotel
AWA Hotel
3 out of 5
2 Kawaha Point Rd, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is ¥8,377 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥8,377
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Skyline Rotorua and Volcanic Hills Winery ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (119 reviews)
"The room was a bit of a strange shape, long hallway within room. Bed was extremely firm, almost like a box spring."

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024

AWA Hotel
Prince's Gate Hotel
Prince's Gate Hotel
4.5 out of 5
1057 Arawa Street, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is ¥14,232 per night from Apr 17 to Apr 18
¥14,232
per night
Apr 17 - Apr 18
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
Tay
"Friendly staff & cozy boutique hotel. The best overall a great thermal hot spring experience with private pool is needed to book in advance for first come first serve. Had tried an afternoon tea on at the premise & a restaurant was accommodated for one person that was thoughtful for solo ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Prince's Gate Hotel
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
4.5 out of 5
9-11 Tutanekai St, P O Box 348, Rotorua
The price is ¥17,266 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥17,266
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy 6 spa tubs, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Novotel is situated in a convenient location, with proximity to Rotorua Lake and Eat Streat. We stayed in two superior deluxe. The rooms are spacious and clean. Staff were friendly, especially the housekeeping team. Good facilities and amenities, although the building is not quite sound proof and ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Ohinemutu