Rotorua Museum
View relics of the Te Arawa Maori people, including exquisite carvings and weavings, at the Rotorua Museum. Admire handcrafted pieces by some of the region’s finest artisans and learn more about the terrible volcano that struck here in 1886.
Built in 1908 by Englishman Dr. Arthur Stanley Wohlmann, this elegant half-timbered construction was originally used as a bathhouse. See what remains of the original bathhouse and find out more about some of the bizarre treatments that were offered here in the Taking the Cure exhibit. Particular highlights are the sinister sounding Bergonie Chair and equally troubling electric baths.
Another exhibit here is devoted to the Te Arawa Maori tribe. Examine displays revealing the stories behind their origins and their beliefs and marvel at traditional wood carvings. An assortment of utensils and garments created from materials such as flax and jade are also on show.
Watch a 20-minute film documenting the history of the area and the calamitous eruption of Mount Tarawera. Discover how the eruption devastated the local population and eradicated the awe-inspiring Pink and White Terraces, a natural attraction that once drew many tourists to the region. Another permanent exhibition, Tudor Towers, documents the period between 1965 and 1990, when the bathhouse building was used as an entertainment venue, featuring a restaurant and a nightclub.
In addition to hosting temporary exhibitions, the museum also has its own art collection comprised of more than 2,000 works. Look for depictions of the Pink and White Terraces and charming landscape images by local artists such as Theo Schoon, Walter Bakkenes and Mark Adams.
Find Rotorua Museum in the serene Government Gardens, a short walk east of the city centre. The museum is open daily and has an admission fee.