RECOVERED

Hells Gate-Waiora Spa

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July 2nd 2007
Today we went to Hells Gate, Rotorua's most active geothermal reserve and a local "taongo" (treasure) to the local Maori people. We walked around the reserve, the authetic Rotorua rotten egg smell was ever present-so Bean was gagging the whole way round. Hells Gate was formed about 10,000 years ago as a series of geothermal eruptions when an ancient lake drained to form Rotorua and Rotoiti. The r ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more