Ohinemutu Maori Village and War Memorial, Rotorua

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On the shore of Lake Rotorua, close to the city centre, we found this regular Maori village, where still people live their lives. We walked through the streets and along houses and nowhere tourists !!

On several places is hot water coming to the surface and is streaming through the village. Everywhere is the smell of sulphur.

In the middle of the village is the impressive Tamatekapua Marea, surrounded by other typical Maori buildings.
Opposite this meeting house is the St. Faith's Anglican Church, built in 1910 in Tudor style. We were not surprised to find an interior with wood carvings, weaved panels and painted scrollwork. The church has also famous stained-glass windows.

Ohinemutu is absolutely not a commercial Maori village and there is no entrance fee (as in Whakarewarewa).

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The historic marae at Ohinemutu also provides an opportunity to visit the Maori War Memorial on the lake's edge. This is an interesting and sacred site, remembering the many Maori servicemen who served in our military forces. The site alone, on the edge of the lake and with the arches and setout, makes this place very spiritual and moving.
You can visit this memorial in conjunction with seeing the Maori Village. This is one more chance to visit some culture and history at no cost.

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One of the oldest and established, authentic Maori villages is open to the public with no entry fee.
This is Te Papaiouru Marae, and it is located in the centre of town at Ohinemutu, not far from the Hospital.
Pre-European times saw Ohinemutu as a strategic and important centre of Maori life, situated on the shores of the lake. As the European influence showed, with the addition of the church and religion, both cultures integrated here and we see an ongoing successful merger. Visitors can walk around the village, taking care to respect sensitive areas. Be sure to leave your car in the allocated carpark, and do not attempt to drive within the village. That area is restricted to residents and members of the cultural families.
Ornate carvings and painted structures stand proudly around the Marae. As well here you can see the steam rising from the underground geothermal activity which the Maori used to enhance their lifestyle. The heat was used for bathing and cooking from the early days.
Be sure to respect culture and sensitive areas when walking around Ohinemutu.

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This is the second chruch to be built on this site. The original but smaller church was built in 1885. It was moved to make way for a larger building which was consecrated in 1918.

The interior is richly decorated in a fusion of European and Mâori styles. There is lagre window with the figure of Christ on it. He appears as a Mâori and is wearing a traditional feather cloak and seems to walking on water.

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Las tallas de la madera en la casa de juntas son exquisitas y se destaca como brillan las innumerables incrustaciones de las conchas de paua(Abulon)
En Ohinemutu se puede ver cómo los maoríes y las culturas europeas se han integrado y viven juntos en una buena comprensión

The carving on the large meeting house is exquisite and it is highlighted by hundreds of inlaid shiny paua ( abalon) shells .
At Ohinemutu you can see how the Maori and European cultures have been integrated and live together on a good understanding

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En lo que fue el pueblo Maori , que se llamaba Ohinemuto ( Lugar de la Jóven que fue asesinada ) , que ya está integrado en Rotorua y a la orilla del lago está la iglesia Anglicana de la Santa Fe , de estilo Tudor , que está integrada con un conjunto histórico en el que destaca la casa de juntas y otras construcciones Maorí

In what was the Maori village , called Ohinemuto ( Place of the Young Woman who was Killed ), which is already integrated in Rotorua and in the lake shore is the St Faith´s Anglican Church , which is integrated with an historical group of buildings , where is the meeting house and other Maori constructions

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La iglesia de la Santa Fe está decorada con esculturas Maorí y en ella destacan los "tukutuku" que son paneles geométricos tejidos que aunque a simple vista nos parezcan iguales tienen su significado enrraizado en las tradiciones Maori
No podemos dejar de ver la vidriera que está detrás del altar , en la que aparece Jesús , vestido con un manto Maori y que da la sensación que está caminando por el lago Rotorua
Nota : Hay quien dice que el Lago Rotorua se parece al mar de Galilea ( ¿? )

The Saint Faith Anglican Church is adorned with Maori carvings and it highlights the "tukutuku" , geometric weaved panels that although at first glance they loohk the same for us they have an spetial meaning in Maori traditions
We must see the window behind the altar, in which Jesus appears, wearing a Maori cloak and gives the feeling that he is walking on Lake Rotorua waters
Note: Some people say that Lake Rotorua is like the Sea of Galilee (?)

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Ohinemutu can be quickly reached on foot from Lake Rotorua lakefront and it is a good place to visit a place where Maori culture meets the European culture.
Ohinemutu was once the main Maori settlement in Rotorua, and still retains strong links to its Maori heritage. A popular attraction is St Faith's Anglican church, on the edge of Lake Rotorua. Leave your shoes outside and admire the window depicting Christ dressed in Maori clothes, placed to create the illusion he is walking on the lake's surface.
A fusion of English architecture and Maori carving, this is a unique example of Christianity's acceptance into traditional Maori life.
A nice craft shop offers a wide range of Maori hand-made crafts.

Next to St Faith's church lies the Mâori War Memorial which is dedicated to Mâori soldiers who fought and died in both World Wars.