Patricia

AUSTRALIA


Joined June 29th 2007

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Tikitapu and Rotokakihi, Rotorua

May 13th 2012 06:31
High on Rotorua’s list of prime attractions are its many beautiful lakes. And high on that list of lakes are Tikitapu, the Blue Lake and Rotokakahi, the Green Lake.

Rotokakihi, the Green Lake, Rotorua
Rotokakihi


The two sit side by side in the steep, bush-clad hills, just a short drive from down town Rotorua. From a high point between them you can look from one to the other and see the contrast in colours that prompted early Pakeha to re-name them the Blue and the Green lakes.

The Blue and Green Lakes, Rotorua,
Tikitapu


The contrast lies not only in their colours. Tikitapu, the Blue Lake is a playground. With its ramps, waterslide, pumice beaches and grassy clearings it is a popular spot for water-skiers, swimmers and picnickers. The pretty and easy track that encircles it attracts joggers and walkers.

Rotokakahi, the Green Lake, on the other hand, is eerily empty, quiet and still, with a spiritual, almost forbidding feel, even on a bright summers’ day when the purr of speed-boats and the shouts swimmers on the Blue Lake echo in the trees.

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One of the most important tools that the Maori brought from their homeland in Hawaiki was the toki, or stone adze. They found, in Aotearoa, a land rich in timber and with the toki, they shaped it into houses, canoes and a thousand large and small implements and weapons for use in daily life. Also with the toki, they decorated almost everything with intricate carvings.

Te Wananga Whakairo, Te Puia's Carving School
Te Wananga Whakairo



Over the years, other carving tools evolved and so did the art of whakairo or carving. Wananga Whakairo or carving schools were established. Whakairo became a prestigious art. Then, with the arrival of the Pakeha settlers in the 19th century, steel tools were introduced and with them came a whole new world of possibilities for carving. But still, the faithful toki continued to play an important part in the art of whakairo.

Te Wanaga Whakairo, Te Puia
Apprentice carvers at work at the Wananga Whakairo


Te Wananga Whakairo, or carving school at Te Puia was established in 1967 under the leadership of Master Carver John Taiapa. Since then, each year, the school takes in a fresh group of young apprentices for training in the prestigious art of whakairo. And although they are trained in a variey of techniques and tools, the toki is still used as a method of blocking out heavy work.

Visitors to Te Puia can watch the carvers and photograph them as they work.
Some of the the work produced in Te Wananga Whakairo are on display and on sale in Te Puia’sTaonga Gallery and shop.

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When the first Maoris arrived in Aotearoa, they found a place much harsher and colder than the mild, warm islands that they had come from. In their homeland, Hawaiki, clothes had been mainly a matter of personal adornment. Now they were a necessity.

Te Puia, Rotorua, New Zealand
Te Rito


Materials for clothing came from the forest and the land. Cloaks were fashioned from the skins of native dogs and from the feathers of birds, particularly kiwi. The hardy and abundant flax plant was an especially important resource. The fibres were separated from the leaves and the fine thread woven into warm and supple garments as well as into bags, nets, blankets and wall coverings. Patterns and designs of great beauty and significance evolved.

Te Puia, Rotorua, New Zealand
Te Rito


Although, with the arrival of the Pakeha, Maori embraced a range of new materials like cotton and wool, they retained traditional designs and methods of weaving. So, the art of weaving was enhanced and preserved.

Te Rito, Te Puia, Rotorua
Te Rito


Te Rito, the weaving school at Te Puia opened in 1969. Its first Director was Emily Schuster, daughter of a master carver and niece of Rotorua’s legendary Guide Rangi. She worked at the school, teaching and promoting women’s crafts until her death in 1997.

Te Rito trains students in traditional methods of weaving. It offers day and night courses as well as training sessions and workshops on Marae around the country.

Visitors to Te Rito can observe and photograph students as they learn and practise the ancient traditions of weaving.

Some of the works produced in Te Rito can be bought at Te Puia's Taonga Gallery and Gift Shop.

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Although you can browse in Te Puia’s information galleries and wander perfectly safe pathways through the thermal park, it’s really worthwhile joining one of the free guided tours.


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Te Puia, The New Zealand Institute of Maori Arts and Crafts, at Whakarewarewa, is one of Rotorua’s most visited tourist attractions. With its thermal park, Marae, (community meeting place) whare whakairo (carved meeting house), huge carved waka (canoe) stunning modern information centre, weaving school, carving school, kiwi house, Maori concerts, as well as its shop full of exquisite (and authentic) art, artefacts and souvenirs, there is a great deal to experience.

Te Puia, Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kapa Haka performance at Te Puia

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Rotorua is often affectionately referred to by the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand as Rotovegas. This is because, like Los Vegas USA, Rotorua is a show town.

Piupiu, Aotearoa New Zealand
A swinging piupiu

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Rotorua is to Aotearoa New Zealand as Florence is to Italy – a place where the country's art and culture is at its finest.

Princes' Gate Rotorua, New Zealand
Whakairo and kowhaiwhai at the Princes' Gate

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Set on the very edge of Lake Rotorua, on the southern fringe of the Government Gardens, the Polynesian Spa offers a taste of total indulgence. Long and widely famed for its miraculous waters, it ranks today among the world’s top spas.


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The magnificent Rotorua Government Gardens are unique among the great public gardens of the world. Here, you can not only do all the things you'd do in any park - belt a tennis ball across a net, cycle along paths fringed with flower beds, smell the roses, perch on the edge of lily pond and feed the ducks, but you can also peer into bubbling mudpools, breathe in the salubrious (albeit rather overpowering) sulphur scented steam and soak in some of the world's best mineral pools.

You’ll find the Government Gardens on the edge of the lake, just a stone’s throw from the CBD and on the doorstep of some of the city’s best hotels. They’re a mecca for tourists and a favourite spot for locals


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Coming into Rotorua

February 16th 2012 09:51
No matter how you approach Rotorua, in the centre Aotearoa New Zealand’s North Island, you’re assured of some spectacular country.

Lake Rotorua, New Zealand
On the shores of Lake Rotorua

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Recent Comments

Comment by Patricia
on Legendary London shops; Fortnum and Mason

May 2nd 2011 06:20
Gosh, thanks, Anonymous! Mistake corrected How embarrassing! How did I miss that?

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Comment by Patricia
on Cardiff Castle

March 13th 2011 07:14
Thank you for your kind and encouraging comment. It's really made my day!

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Comment by Patricia
on Cardiff Castle

March 13th 2011 07:14
Thank you for your kind and encouraging comment. It's really made my day!

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Comment by Patricia
on Review: Iririki Island Resort and Spa

August 4th 2010 09:16
Amy, it looks beautiful and so romantic

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Comment by Patricia
on The peaceful haven of Harpenden

July 29th 2010 08:23
Thank you for your comments, Anonymous. I have used them to amend this post. I must say though, that this is the Harpenden I found that drizzly, Autumn day and these are the Harpenden folk I found there! I also must say that, I'm pleased I found these tweedy eccentrics and not the selfish, rich people you describe. I'm so glad I made you laugh, you sound as if you don't do it very often!

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Comment by Patricia
on Hens!

July 13th 2010 07:58
Oops, I've just looked at the date of this post, so you're probably married already and on the honeymoon. I hope it all went beautifully. So, now, for all us romantics out here, what about a report and perhaps a photo?

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Comment by Patricia
on Hens!

July 13th 2010 07:51
Only six weeks to go, how exciting! How are the preparations going? Is the dress ready?I know this is probably a really busy time for you but can you keep all us romantics out here posted? Also enjoy every moment of the next six weeksno matter what!

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Comment by Patricia
on The Empire State building, New York

June 7th 2010 03:38
I stand corrected, Socrate!

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Comment by Patricia
on MONSTERS UNDER OUR BEDS

May 31st 2010 05:04
Dean, all I can say is that this too will pass. I can imagine how you must feel - goodness, I'm just a reader, I'm not even part of this story but I'm really sad to see Vail go. She's a truly memorable character.

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Comment by Patricia
on My darling Stella is gone

October 10th 2009 11:28
Fog, I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

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