Ohinemutu
Tamatekapua
Ohinemutu is the original settlement of Rotorua, the modern town was laid out nearby as the population grew. You can walk through the village, visit beautifully decorated St Faith's Church and maybe see some traditional carvers in their workshop below Whakaturia Dining Room. Facing the church is Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of the district.
Maori settled in Ohinemutu because they could build their homes on warm ground,
there were boiling pools or steam vents where food could be cooked and plenty of
warm water for bathing. There was food in the lake and they could travel by
canoe over a wide area. Homes in the village are still heated thermally and
everyone can bathe in warm spring water.
