Ōhinemutu Village was settled by the Ngāti Whakaue iwi (tribe), a sub-tribe of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) journeyed from the Pacific homeland of Hawaiiki to New Zealand around 1350AD. The explorers chose this location for their home due to its setting along the shores of Lake Rotorua and the abundant geothermal energy which was useful for cooking, bathing and heating.
 
Ngāti Whakaue gifted the land on which the city of Rotorua was built, and today the historic village, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Rotorua city centre, is still home to a few hundred descendants.
 
Visitors are welcome to walk around this living village at no charge, and enjoy the steaming vents, boiling hot pools, and natural beauty that leads many to comment on the tranquillity and spiritually uplifting environment.
 
The village is home to a magnificent traditional Māori meeting house named Tamatekapua. The carvings on the house are exquisite and highlighted by hundreds of inlaid shiny paua shells. The house is not open to the public, but you are welcome to enjoy it from the outside.
 
Towards the lake’s edge is the historic and beautifully decorated St Faith’s Church which was completed in 1914. While its exterior is Tudor-style, the church interior has a strong Māori influence, with intricate carvings and woven panels. A memorable feature is a window etched with the image of Jesus wearing a Māori cloak – he appears to walk across the surface of Lake Rotorua.
 
Visitors are welcome to attend the bilingual service conducted every Sunday at 9.00am, or to visit the church at their leisure. The church is open from 8am daily and entry is by a $2 donation.
 
For the safety and respect of the villagers, please keep to the footpaths at all times and observe common sense rules. The streets are open to traffic.