Te Puia

About

Spanning 70 hectares, Te Puia lies above a geothermal area, and is alive with hot springs, mud pools, and silica formations. The centerpiece of these natural attractions is the world famous Pohutu geyser, the largest in New Zealand, which spurts boiling water up to 30 meters into the air around twenty times per day. There’s also a Kiwi Conservation Center where you can see the famed flightless birds up close, and learn more about New Zealand’s ecology. You’ll also find traditional Maori architecture, which was built by the students of the National Woodcarving School located within Te Puia, as well as crafts produced by the students of of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. For the most immersive and informative experience, join one of the guided tours, which include fascinating explanations of all the main sights, as well as cultural performances like the famous Haka dance.