Rotorua needs: I would love to see the lakefront developed to make a superb frontage to our city. This is a great space if we get the next stage linked to Eat Streat and Sulphur Point.
Todd McClay, Rotorua MP
Te Ara Ahi - Rotorua's National Cycleway: This trail takes in 74km of unique geothermal areas, outstanding landscapes, pristine lakes and exotic forests. It links four established geothermal attractions - Te Puia, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Orakei Korako - a must-see for visitors.
Agroventures: People want a little adventure when they come to Rotorua. At Agroventures visitors can experience up to five of New Zealand's most iconic adventure activities at once including the Bungy Jump , the Swoop, Agrojet, Freefall Xtreme and the Shweeb racing suspended monorail - all unique to Rotorua.
Raceline Karting in Mamaku: Set in Mamaku's rugged bush terrain, Off Road NZ's multi-million dollar 2.4km kart track is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and provides for the best race line karting in this part of the world.
Rotorua needs: A waterpark. It would be great to see something like the Hydro slides opened up again. These were extremely popular when they were open and a great way to draw families and young people together from around the community on those hot summer days.
Tamati Coffey, TV presenter
Ohinemutu: My favourite thing to do is walk around Ohinemutu. I have strong ties to the area so feel proud taking friends there. Just seeing water bubbling out of the drains sends people reaching for their cameras. And our Maori culture is all out for everyone to see in the most real and spectacular way.
Skyline Rotorua: The luge is iconic and essential for visitors.
Polynesian Spa: The pools are looking great these days.
Rotorua needs: I hate that on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon there's no iconic place for me to go and take friends, for good food and wine with views over the lake. It's so simple. But most of our places are back from the lake, or too much of a drive from the town centre. We need somewhere like that.
And I'd love to see a big hot water foot pool somewhere on the lakefront.
Monty Morrison
Skyline Rotorua: I think it's a great place for people to start as you can get a great view of the lake and a feel for our city. You can see right across to Mt Tarawera in the distance. It's a great adventure park also.
Rotorua Museum: It gives people a hands-on history of not just Rotorua but also our region. One of the most important things is you see what Rotorua was like in its beginnings.
Mt Tarawera: I always recommend people take a trip out to Tarawera via Blue Lake. Go out to the landing and get across the water and then go up the mountain. I've taken people and they've been thrilled, these three things in sequence has impressed people.
Rotorua needs: I'd like to see community-funded entertainers like in Cuba. People tell me that the place is alive and that the entertainers get subsidised or they're out of work. Every street corner has entertainers and I think that's something we could develop here.
Aunty Bea Yates
Te Puia: I love Te Puia because it's got so much history around it. The geysers, sulphur and concerts to me give you a close association with the people. You can enjoy the sites but the main thing is enjoying the hospitality of New Zealanders. I also love that it has a Whanau card.
Skyline Rotorua: I love going up to the gondola, especially on a beautiful day as you can see everything around you and have a nice meal. I like to go on the luge, I love it. I used to do my Tina Turner shows up there.
The lakes: I love going on a tiki tour, Blue Lake, Green Lake, of course, Lake Tarawera, then Okareka, Rotorua and Rotoiti. I love going for a swim at Rotoiti. The lakes are really precious and we used to dive for our food and get koura.
Rotorua needs: I would like to see a nice recreation centre for the children and teens. Somewhere where we can teach them a whole lot of skills.
The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences. We'll be highlighting one every day over summer.
