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Home / Rotorua Daily Post / Photos

The evolution of Te Manawa (City Focus) in pictures

Rally of Rotorua ceremonial start City Focus. Crowds gather for the start of the race
170404aw1 Rotorua / Hamilton band Nimbus playing in the City Focus on Saturday. (L-R) Nick Feisst, Cameron Hay, Alasdair Hay, and Tuhua Mutu.  PICTURE BY ANDREW WARNER  THE DAILY POST.
090206aw4 Tasmanian Busker Samora Squid swallows a sword as part of his act in the city focus. 09 February 2006 The Daily Post Photograph by Andrew Warner
140907aw3 The Great Sweep Race. (left to right) Beth Leslie from Keep Rotorua Beautiful Committee, Luke Valentine from Classic Hits, Steve Chadwick, (obscured) Kevin Winters, Elliot Pollard from Keep
171008kt3 Plunket fundraiser at City Focus, Rotorua. Pictured: Rotorua two-year-old Micah Nairn, foreground, and 18-month-old Otis Murphy check out the water fountain.

BNS 24Jun09 - FILE  Fat
090909bf15   Matt Foster gives a demo in the City Focus for the UCI Trials World Cup in Rotorua this weekend
9 September 2009 Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
040908bf1    World record attempt for the most amount of girls kissing in the City Focus on Thursday. Pictured in foreground are Madi Kirk (left) and Chloe Loves
4 September 2008 Daily Post Photog
170110bf12     Bubbles in the City Focus pond
17 January 2010 Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
200313bf1 Rotorua's City Focus
20 March 2013 Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
DPM 21Jun13 - BACKED: The City Focus.   PHOTO/FILE
DPS 09Nov13 - CENTRAL: The City Focus, a place for commu
200313bf2 City Focus
20 March 2013 Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
City Focus in Rotorua   
5 September 2014 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 29Apr15 - SUPPORT: Rotorua's City Focus. PHOTO/FILE
RGP 28May15 - 
RGP 25Jul15 -
220411sp1 Church service for Good Friday in the City Focus. 22 April 2011 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
RDP 25Apr11 - PREPARING FOR EASTER: Hundreds turned out for the Combined Church Mi
Waiariki horticulture and carpentry students with their display, Exploration, in the City Focus. From left, Stephanie Kisiel 027 378 3720, Jack Kameta, Delia West, Phil Collings, Kurt Stephens and Cha
180408sp11 Tutanekai Street looking towards City Focus. 18 April 2008 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
ROT 19apr08 -
City Focus before the sails are removed. 23 November 2015 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker.
City Focus before the sails are removed. 23 November 2015 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker.
RGP 26Nov15 - BEFORE: The sails are now in storage until it's decided what to do with them. PHOTO
City Focus sails removed. 24 November 2015 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker.
RGP 25Nov15 - NEW LOOK: City Focus from the air.PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

RGP 09Jan16 - REVAMP: City Focus s
Rotorua's City Focus building has been demolished. 30 November 2015 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

RGP 05Dec15 - BULLDOZED: A reader says the demolition of the
Demolition was in full swing at Manawa (formerly the City Focus). 13 July 2016 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser.
Demolition was in full swing at Manawa (formerly the City Focus). 13 July 2016 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser.
Demolition was in full swing at Manawa (formerly the City Focus). 13 July 2016 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser.
RGP 15Jul16 - DOWN: Demolition took place on the corner of Hinemoa and T
Demolition took place on the corner of Hinemoa and Tutanekai Sts to take down the City Focus. 13 July 2016 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser.
RGP 15Jul16 -
This year's Christmas tree in the old City Focus.  29 November 2016 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser.
RGP 02Dec16 - CELEBRATION: The City Focus Tree is now up with decorations. PHOTO/BE
The new-look City Focus (Manawa) is getting closer to completion. 1 September 2017 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker
RGP 06Sep17 -
Te Manawa is now open to vehicle traffic.  25 October 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 26Oct17 - AFTER: Goodbye City Focus and hello Te Manawa - The Heart of the City. PHOTO/BE
City Focus. 22 March 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 10Apr17 - CONSTRUCTION CLASH: Some have questioned the build's timing.

RGP 26Apr17 - TENDER: The final stage of t
Te Manawa is now open to vehicle traffic.  25 October 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 26Oct17 - COMPLETE: Te Manawa is inviting to locals and visitors, says a reader. PHOTO/BE
Te Manawa. 16 October 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 17Oct17 - OPENING CLOSE: Dry weather has meant contractors have been able to speed ahead with work.
Work is continuing on the construction of Te Manawa - the former City Focus. 21 September 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker.
RGP 23Sep17 -
Rotorua City Focus redevelopment. Manawa - Heart of the City. 29 May 2017 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker.
RGP 30May17 -
City Focus upgrade work.  26 July 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 28Jul17 - UNHAPPY: A reader says the City Focus, currently being redeveloped, is a mess. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
City Focus upgrade work. 26 July 2017 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser
RGP 27Jul17 -

Image 1 of 34:

Rotorua Lakefront weed
Rotorua Daily Post

Rotorua Lakefront weed

Weed washed up at Rotorua Lakefront following last night's wild weather. Photos / Ben Fraser

12 Nov 10:03 PM
 Mitai Maori Village fire
Photos

Mitai Maori Village fire

Damage after a fire at Mitai Maori Village. Photos / Annabel Reid

04 Nov 10:03 PM
Legend of the Peaks
Photos

Legend of the Peaks

The event is expected to attract more than 3000 runners and walkers across six different distances.

02 Nov 11:56 PM
Lakeland Queen is back on Lake Rotorua
Photos

Lakeland Queen is back on Lake Rotorua

Lakeland Queen is back on Lake Rotorua. Photos / Annabel Reid, Kelly Makiha

27 Aug 10:12 PM
 Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association 90th jubilee celebrations in Rotorua.
Photos

Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association 90th jubilee celebrations in Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association 90th jubilee celebrations in Rotorua.

14 Aug 12:27 AM
Steamers players in the Māori All Blacks
Photos

Steamers players in the Māori All Blacks

Five Bay of Plenty Steamers players have been selected in the Māori All Blacks.

02 Jul 11:57 PM
Whakaari/White Island plume
Photos

Whakaari/White Island plume

A large plume rises above Whakaari/White Island this morning. Photos / Facebook

17 Jun 11:02 PM
Photos: Rotorua Mini Marathon 2025
Rotorua Daily Post

Photos: Rotorua Mini Marathon 2025

More than 2000 kids turned out for the Rotorua Mini Marathon on Friday to kick of marathon weekend in the city. Rotorua Daily Post's Ben Fraser grabbed the camera and went down.

01 May 09:45 PM
Photos: Rotorua Christmas Parade 2024
Rotorua Daily Post

Photos: Rotorua Christmas Parade 2024

The Rotorua Christmas Parade was a bit damp this year but spirits were still high as it made its way around the Government Gardens. The Rotorua Daily Post was there to capture the fun.

30 Nov 07:00 PM
Hikoi mo te Tiriti in Rotorua
Photos

Hikoi mo te Tiriti in Rotorua

Images as Hikoi mo te Tiriti marches up Rotorua’s Fenton St on Friday. Photos / Ben Fraser, Kelly Makiha

15 Nov 12:28 AM
Sir Robert Gillies tangihanga
Photos

Sir Robert Gillies tangihanga

Final day of Sir Robert Gillies tangihanga at Rotorua’s Te Papaiouru marae.

12 Nov 01:30 AM
Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust‘s Pink Walk
Photos

Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust‘s Pink Walk

Hundreds turned up to walk the lakefront as a crowd in pink. Photos / Laura Smith

23 Oct 07:15 AM
2024 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.
Photos

2024 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

Winners at the 2024 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

15 Jul 12:41 AM
Sneak peek Matariki drone light show in Rotorua
Photos

Sneak peek Matariki drone light show in Rotorua

Sneak peek at the incredible drone light show set to light up the sky this Matariki at the Rotorua Lakefront as part of the Aronui Arts Festival. Photos / Andrew Warner

19 Jun 09:36 PM
Rotorua Santa Parade 2003
Photos

Rotorua Santa Parade 2003

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from the 2003 Santa Parade.

18 Jun 01:04 AM
Santa Parade 1999
Photos

Santa Parade 1999

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from the 1999 Santa Parade.

05 Jun 12:07 AM
Carols by Candlelight 2002
Photos

Carols by Candlelight 2002

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some images from Carols by Candlelight in 2002. See anyone you know?

04 Jun 01:50 AM
Te Pati Māori protest in Rotorua in photos
Photos

Te Pati Māori protest in Rotorua in photos

Protesters gathered in Rotorua this morning as part of a national day of disruption. Photos / Andrew Warner, Ben Fraser

29 May 07:10 PM
Raft Race
Photos

Raft Race

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from raft race on Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

27 May 12:50 AM
Trolley Derby
Photos

Trolley Derby

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some images from the Rotorua Trolley Derby.

27 May 12:29 AM
Rotorua flooding
Photos

Rotorua flooding

Precautionary evacuations are under way in Ngongotahā due to fears of rising steam levels.

21 May 12:04 AM
Rotorua Santa Parade 1989
Photos

Rotorua Santa Parade 1989

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. In a first of a series of photographs from events in our city, here's some images that were taken from the 1989 Rotorua Santa Parade. Can you spot anyone you know? Let us know who you recognise.

14 May 01:27 AM
Photos: 2024 Waikato and Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards.
Photos

Photos: 2024 Waikato and Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards.

2024 Waikato and Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards.

02 May 09:00 AM
Catfish Killas showcase mahi
Photos

Catfish Killas showcase mahi

Te Arawa Lakes Trust celebrated 100 years by showcasing its biosecurity work. Photos / Laura Smith

30 Mar 02:39 AM

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