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- North Island
- Lake Taupo
- Mine Bay Rock Carving
Mine Bay Rock Carving Information
Highlights of Lake Taupo
Beautiful Lake Taupo is actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in..
Pureora Forest Park InformationPureora Forest Park can be explored from multiple entry points along State Highway 45 west of Lake..
Kaimanawa Forest Park InformationEast of Tongariro National Park, the Kaimanawa Forest Park is a large area of ancient native..
Aratiatia Rapids InformationA few times each day, spill gates from a dam are opened at the top of the Aratiatia rapids and the..
Craters of the Moon InformationIn the 1950s a large area of land north of Taupo suddenly began to get hot and emit steam. Craters..
Huka Falls InformationThe Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupo between..
Mangakino InformationMangakino is a town that has survived against the odds. It was originally founded to house workers..
Taupo Lakeside walks InformationThe clear waters of Lake Taupo meet sandy beaches and towering cliffs in settings that range from..
Turangi InformationAs the unofficial trout fishing headquarters of New Zealand, Turangi invites you to call in and..
Waipahihi Botanical Reserve InformationExplore 35 hectares of attractive gardens just south of the Taupo township. Established in 1966..
See all locations in Lake TaupoMine Bay Rock Carving Information
In the late 1970s master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell had completed his 10-year training period with Maori elders. He came to his mother's land at Lake Taupo to mark the occasion with a significant carving.
On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and recognised the opportunity to use them as a canvas for his work. Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area over a thousand years ago. In recognition of the cross-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid.
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The main carving is over 10 metres high and took four summers to complete. The artwork is Matahi's gift to Taupo. He and four assistants took no payment other than small change donations from local bar patrons to cover the cost of the scaffolding.
The carving has become an important cultural attraction for the region and a clear demonstration that traditional Maori knowledge and skills continue to be passed from generation to generation.
The Mine Bay rock carvings can only be reached by boat and are best viewed up close from a kayak.
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Highlights of North Island
The City of Sails is one of rare natural beauty. On an isthmus in the north island surrounded by..
Wellington Region InformationLocated in the extreme south of the North Island, Wellington is the capital and third largest city..
Rotorua InformationOne of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations, Rotorua is a landscape of drifting steam..
Wellington InformationWellington is the capital city of New Zealand and a cultural, political, and artistic hub in the..
Bay of Plenty InformationLocated on the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island the Bay of Plenty certainly lives up to..
Bay of Islands InformationThe Bay of Islands comprises more than 140 different islands set in a beautiful sub-tropical..
Northlands InformationThe Northland region of New Zealand is located on the (you guessed it) northern end of the North..
Coromandel InformationSpring signals the opening of the Coromandel scallop season. Dive for scallops to barbeque yourself..
Hawkes Bay InformationA Mediterranean climate with long, fine dry summers and mild winters not only makes this a great..
Napier InformationThe port city of Napier is a popular tourist destination with its sweeping views of Hawke’s Bay..
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