Day 7: Rotorua Museum

Chore day and then time for a look around the urban jungle while it rained.

 

I don't believe I have been to the Rotorua Museum before. It is located inside the renovated Bath House building which opened in 1908, designed along the lines of European Spas. Soldiers convalesced here after the World Wars.

 

First up there was a short film on the history and Maori mythology of Rotorua. I should have taken more note of the sign that said "persons of a nervous disposition" should avoid! They got to the part where Mt Tarawera erupted and buried the village of Te Wairoa, when the seats and floor suddenly went into simulation ride mode! We were shaken about while ceilings crashed down and it seemed to go on for ages. I don't think people from Christchurch would have enjoyed it very much! I was very relieved when it stopped. I don't mind hurtling down the side of a cliff at 30km/hr on a bike though.

 

Next I went on a guided tour, including the Maori history section but could only take photos of the bath house exhibits. There was a nice section on the Maori Guides, Pink and White Terraces and Maori Battalion.

  

The old Bath House turned Museum

 

Tour under the foundations to the mud baths

Porcelain spa baths used to treat soldiers injuries after the wars

A mud bath!

 

There is also a beautiful waka made by the Weta Workshop out of clear acrylic. It is 10 metres long and 4 metres tall. I got these photos off the internet.

 

Te Arawa Waka created by Weta Workshop

Detail - very fine carving work, a beautiful piece