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DESTINATION ROTORUA: NEW ZEALAND'S CULTURAL HEARTBEAT
New Zealand’s cultural heartbeat
As the birthplace of New Zealand’s Māori tourism, Rotorua is a spectacular blend of natural geothermal wonders and deep cultural connections with the past, and it is thriving as a destination to mix business and pleasure, writes Gavin Dennett
Located in the Bay of Plenty region, on New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is a uniquely fascinating cultural and natural wonder. With Indigenous roots dating back to the 14th century, the city is the birthplace of Māori tourism.
Friendly and beautiful, there is nowhere else quite like it.
Rotorua’s spiritual connection to the local Te Arawa people shapes its identity, making it the beating heart of New Zealand’s Māori culture. Visitors to the city – which sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua and has a population of almost 60,000 – are treated to a destination deeply influenced by the warmth of its people who adhere to the principle of “Nau mai haere mai”, which means, “Welcome to our place”. Friendly and beautiful, there is nowhere else quite like it.
As a geothermal city, Rotorua is a stunning hotspot of geysers and hot mud pools, set against a backdrop of rolling green hills. With geothermal springs spread throughout the city, visitors can witness the earth breathing as steam billows from various locations, bringing an otherworldly sense of excitement and awe. Despite having origins in the raging Earth’s core, the natural heated springs deliver the city a calming and therapeutic rhythm.
As the host city of MEETINGS 2024, in June this year, Rotorua laid out the red carpet as the events industry descended for a week of showcasing, networking and incentives.
Hosted by Business Events Industry Aotearoa, and held at Energy Events Centre – Rotorua’s largest events space – it delivered a synergy of cultural enlightenment, generous hospitality, work and play. It also showed off Rotorua as an elite business events destination.
“Rotorua is the ultimate destination for business events, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and modern amenities,” says Vanessa Wallace, business events manager at RotoruaNZ, the region’s economic development agency and regional tourism organisation.
“Our world-class conference facilities, stunning geothermal landscapes, and rich Māori culture create the perfect backdrop for inspiring and memorable events. Whether it’s a large-scale conference or an intimate corporate retreat, Rotorua provides an exceptional environment for networking, innovation and success.”
Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa
Officially opened in June 2023, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa offers wellness and tranquillity on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Wai Ariki means “chiefly waters” and the centre was built on the legacy of Māori culture and Ngāti Whakaue healing practices.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa offers authentic manaakitanga – the centuries-old concept of welcoming and caring for visitors (manuhiri). It connects to the origin of Rotorua’s geothermal waters and provides visitors with an ancestral link to natural surrounds through traditional healing practices that sooth the body and soul.
With multiple spa and architectural awards already to its name, Wai Ariki has garnered a reputation as one of New Zealand’s premier wellness and Indigenous experiences. Its mineral-rich waters are therapeutic and convey a sense of calmness, and the centre’s signature “Restorative Journey (Wai Whakaora)” is a world-class rejuvenating experience, with every element drawing on the centuries-old legacy of Ngāti Whakaue practices and culture – including waterfall showers, fire-and-ice caves, thermal pools, a geothermal mud lounge and steam room.
Polynesian Spa
Also located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Polynesian Spa is New Zealand’s original geothermal bathing destination. With thermal bathing on the site dating back to 1878, and a bath house operating there since 1872, the venue’s hot pools encapsulate Rotorua’s connection between locals and the city’s natural elements.
Visitors to Polynesian Spa can enjoy the soothing geothermal bathing experience across 20 hot mineral pools sourced from acidic and alkaline mineral springs, plus day spa therapies, providing relaxation and rejuvenation – especially after a long day of meetings and event networking.
Millennium Hotel
Just metres from Polynesian Spa and a short walk to Energy Events Centre, Sir Howard Morrison Centre – the venue for the MEETINGS 2024 opening ceremony – and Rotorua city centre, Millennium Hotel is a major accommodation and conferencing hub for visitors to the region.
Featuring 227 rooms and suites – many recently refurbished – the eco-friendly hotel harnesses the site’s natural geothermal resource to heat its rooms, communal spaces and pool. It also features seven meetings and events spaces, with a capacity of 400 people.
Te Puia
Spanning 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, on the outskirts of Rotorua, Te Puia is home to the iconic Pōhutu Geyser, as well as bubbling mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. Pōhutu is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, which erupts sulphurous steam up to 30 metres in the air.
Te Puia is also home to expansive native bush, which houses native Kiwi birds, and it can be explored via guided tours; the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, which features national schools for wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving; a restaurant; and modern meetings and events facilities.
Adrenaline action
Rotorua and its surrounding region has plenty of incentive options for business events visitors seeking to blow off steam with adrenaline-packed action.
Off Road NZ is located 20 minutes northwest of Rotorua city centre, in the volcanic landscape of Mamaku Plateau, and features 4WD bush safaris, raceline karting and monster 4x4 thrill rides.
The venue’s 1.2km International Kartsport Raceway boasts Sodi 390cc 4-stroke karts that are imported from France and capable of hitting speeds up to 100km/h. It is the only site in New Zealand where these machines can be driven, and is the newest and longest Kartsport circuit in the country.
Off Road NZ’s self-driven 4WD bush safari experiences through muddy former logging tracks – including a seven-metre luge descent – and monster 4x4 rides are popular incentive attractions.
Also located a short drive from Rotorua city centre is Zorb, where thrill-seekers can jump inside giant water-filled inflatable balls and roll down Mount Ngongotaha.
This is the only site in New Zealand where the fun of Zorb can be experienced, with four ball-rolling tracks where the inflatables bounce around en route to the bottom of the hill. Serious fun.
Adventure destination Skyline Rotorua offers sweeping views across the region, and was the host venue for the incredible Rio-themed final night party at MEETINGS 2024. It boasts a 900-metre Gondola cable car that takes visitors to the top of the hill; adrenaline ride Skyswing Rotorua; ziplining over Redwood Forest; and downhill gravity-driven luge tracks, the longest in the world.
