April 27th, New Zealand Day 12

These photos I took on Day 12 of my stay in New Zealand.

This is the entrance to the Maori village/museum of Whakarewarewa located in Rotorua. This archway commemorates all those from this village who have fought in wars throughout the world. 

Inside Whakarewarewa there are several of these types of huts surrounded by steam vents, which are equally plentiul. 

This is a particularly large steam vent in the center of the village. 

This, and the next 3 photos, are shots of various steam vents around Whakarewarewa. 

Photo 2 

Photo 3 

Photo 4 

These are some of the geysers that can be found in and around Rotorua. 

This is me taking part in a traditional Maori greeting. 

This is a picture of some of the hot mud areas that exist along side the hot springs and the geysers. 

These are two lakes or lagoons behind Whakarewarewa. The mist you can see on them is actually steam as these bodies of water are being geothermally heated. 

Around the village of Whakarewarewa I found these two lakes or lagoons, one black, the other green. 

These are Maori presenters who gave a concert in Whakarewarewa when we were there. 

This is a Ball Dance performed by women, but originally by men. The white things are balls attached on the ends of strings and the women twirl them around and hit them on the back of their hands. The balls are soft so it doesn't hurt. 

Another photo of the Ball Dance. 

These are some Maori warriors practicing spear handling with sticks. 

This is a game involving the throwing of sticks to music for the purpose of developing hand-eye coordination. 

This is a traditional Maori meeting house located in Whakarewarewa. 

Although I managed to see living Kiwis, I could only take a picture of this stuffed one. Because they are nocturnal, they are sensitive to both noise and light so pictures are not permitted.