1180 Tarawera Road, Lake Tarawera, Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

The Buried Village Te Wairoa

Rotorua Museums

Tourism is not new here. The Pink and White Terraces were one of the wonders of 19th Century New Zealand. They were destroyed when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886. The village of Te Wairoa, buried with the Terraces in the eruption, was unearthed in 1931. Site excavations and Museum displays reveal the volcanic devastation. Entrance Fee. Guided tours by Tuhourangi, descendants of the original guides to the Pink & White Terraces are available at no extra cost at certain times - grab one if you can.

Learn more about the legendary Guide Sophia, and the strength of her whare (house) which saved many of the residents of Te Wairoa both Maori and Pakeha during the eruption. One paheka man who did not survive was Edwin Bainbridge, who was in the Rotomahana hotel when it collapsed. The Rotomahana meeting house, Whare Hinemihi, also stood up to the eruption and saved lives. It resides on the grounds of Clandon Park estate in the United Kingdom.

TOUR THE BURIED VILLAGE

MOUNT TARAWERA VOLCANIC GUIDED HIKE EXPERIENCE

Fire in the Sky: The Diary of James Collier, Tarawera, 1886 (My Story)The Ghosts of TaraweraThe Eruption of Tarawera: A Report to the Surveyor-General

Image Credit: Ruins of Mr Hazard’s house, Wairoa, 1886, Tarawera, by Charles Spencer. Te Papa

Features

  • Cafe

Location

Directions

Nearby this Place

Explore

Featured Nearby

Nearby Museums

Rotorua Museum of Art and History and The Blue Baths

Rotorua Museum of Art and History and The Blue Baths

12.5 km 6

View
Bibleworld Museum and Discovery Centre

Bibleworld Museum and Discovery Centre

12.7 km

View

Featured Nearby

You May Also Like

Tarawera Lookout
Tarawera Lookout

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

1.2 km 6

Tarawera Landing
Tarawera Landing

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

1.3 km 2

Stoney Point Reserve and Rangiuru Bay
Stoney Point Reserve and Rangiuru Bay

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

2.1 km 1

Rotokakahi - Green Lake
Rotokakahi - Green Lake

Lake Okareka, Rotorua

3.9 km 1