Facts About Rotorua - strangefacts

• A city founded in the early 1870s and named after Lake Rotorua whose Maori name means ‘Second Lake’ from roto ‘lake’ and rua ‘two’ or ‘second’

• It is said that it was so named by a traveller as he went along the Kaituna River; the first was Lake Rotoiti ‘Small Lake’. However, this may be a convenient invention to justify claims to the area by the local tribe

• The city of Rotorua, about 30 miles (48 km) inland on the Volcanic Plateau, is noted for the geysers, fumaroles, boiling mud, and warm mineral bathing pools in its vicinity

• Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city’s past and present

• The city is also the tribal home of the Te Arawa people, who settled in lakeside geothermal areas more than 600 years ago

• Entertaining in any weather, and at any time of the year, Rotorua promises to keep you captivated with geothermal phenomena and special cultural experiences

• Geysers, boiling mud pools, marae stays, hangi feasts, an authentic pre-European Maori village and indulgent spa therapies will provide plenty of content for your emails home

• Rotorua also has a well-developed adventure culture – everything from sky diving to zorbing

• Functional facts: Approx. population 76,000, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic airport

• Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand

• The city is known for its geothermal activity, with a number of geysers, notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa, and boiling mud pools (pictured above) located in the city
• This thermal activity owes itself to the Rotorua caldera on which the city lies

• Rotorua is also a top adventure destination and is New Zealand’s Maori cultural heartland Rotorua city is renowned for its unique “rotten eggs” aroma, which is caused by the geothermal activity releasing sulphur compounds into the atmosphere

• If you are ever visiting New Zealand – this is a city you must see. It was once home to the famed Pink and White Terraces and you can visit thermal wonderlands with sights that are truly astounding

• Rotorua is also a top adventure destination and is New Zealand’s Maori cultural heartland

• Rotorua city is renowned for its unique “rotten eggs” aroma, which is caused by the geothermal activity releasing sulphur compounds into the atmosphere

• The region has been a stronghold of Maori culture for centuries. The local Maori, predominantly, Te Arawa, were the first inhabitants of the region and there are still 35 Marae around the district today

• The region is also located around 11 major lakes, the largest being Lake Rotorua. This makes it a centre for fishing and other water based activities

• The main areas of employment in Rotorua are tourism, forestry, manufacturing and retailing