Whakarewarewa Living Village is rich in history and home to the Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao people. Photo/File
From tragedy to a renowned tourist attraction, Whakarewarewa Living Village is fascinating thousands of visitors each year with its thermal wonders and rich history.
For more than 200 years the Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao people have welcomed visitors into their backyard. The iwi were one of the country's first hosts, welcoming visitors
to the Pink and White Terraces before they were destroyed in the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera which also killed 153 people.
Today the descendants of the same people are continuing the legacy of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (family) to everyone who crosses the bridge into the village.
Keith Weber of Rotorua Group Events Pty MD has fond memories of his time visiting.
"In 1940, as a 6-year-old Pakeha boy I would visit Rotorua and Whakarewarewa Village to cross the bridge and watch the Maori kids dive for pennies," he said.
