REGIONAL REVIEW ROTORUA
This city attracts many visitors to its smoking cracks and craters, despite the at times overwhelming smell of sulphur. While the famous bubbling mud pools and thermal springs scattered across the city and its outskirts provide much of the appeal, Rotorua offers more than just the natural wonders of its restless footing.
It has glistening lakes and spectacular forests where residents benefit from world-class outdoor activities like boating, swimming, mountain biking, trail running and fishing.
As the home of Te Arawa and centre of Maori arts and crafts learning, as well as Maori tourism, this is a place where culture thrives.
The city's name is derived from the Maori terminology Te Rotoruanuia-Kahumatamomoe, which means the second great lake of Kahumatamomoe. A total of 17 lakes make up the system of water bodies that are collectively Lake Rotorua. The lake is used for various water-sporting events and often as a landing and take-off site for seaplanes.
Nicknamed Rotovegas by its inhabitants, the city's main street is lined and characterised by
