We got the ticket for the full guided tour, dinner, and the show. It's pricy but we enjoyed it very…read moremuch and it's a unique experience. The tour starts with some quick stops at the traditional way the food is cooked and at a carved canoe to give a glimpse of Māori life. You get to see some kiwi birds, then cruise around the geyser area. Lots of lookouts and viewing sites. You finish the tour in the art center where the intricate carvings and weaving are done. Next is dinner. The buffet has a ton of meat (meat coma) along with vegetables, salads, desserts, etc. so many options. You are given a seating assignment so we conversed with folks from Denver and California. Funny we go all the way to New Zealand and end up hanging with folks from the US. Finally, you end with the show. It is well done. You get a good variety of battle, love, and storytelling songs. It was an educational and enjoyable experience.

Great place to learn about Maori culture. Highlights & Recommendations for Te Puia:…read more1) NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (NZMACI) - A fascinating school that allows Maori adult students to study (tuition free) traditional crafts such as wood, stone, and bone carving and weaving, using tradtional methods. This allows the students to perpetuate Maori culture. Recommendation: NZMACI should offer classes (for a fee) for Pākehā (non-Maori people) who could also learn the techniques, and their fees would also help subsidize the school. The classes could range from the full course for NZ residents, to shorter courses for tourists. 2) Geyser- Spectacular! 3) Cultural Show - Interesting, Informative, Entertaining. Recommendation: Do a full Haka, and outside where everyone can see. Also, give a more full explanation of all the parts. 4) Maori Staff - All of the staff were superb! I was with Kia (sp?) and she very patiently answered all my many questions about the Maori language. Recommendations: I would like to have known a little about each Staff member- origin, tribe, etc. 5) Maori Culture- I cannot imagine a better place to learn about Maori culture! Recommendations: I would like to have known more about Maori tattoos - designs, placement, symbolism, etc. It's such a visible part od Maori culture that it should be featured. If it would be offensive to do so, I would withdraw this comment. Overall, and exceptional visit to a very entertaining place. Nga mihi!

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The building is falling well…read morebelow earthquake safety standards and will need to stay closed for the foreseeable future. The good news is that it can be fixed! How this happens, how long and how much it will cost needs to be determined. In the meantime Rotorua Museum is running exhibitions, events, tours, and educational programs in other venues around Rotorua

So sad... in January - still closed until further notice. The grounds are super pretty and if you…read morehave a blanket, book, drink and lunch -- spread out and enjoy the peace. Not many people hanging out there since the museum is closed -- you'll have a very relaxing break, like I did!

Aorangi Peak is a destination spot on the top of a mountain where you can dine, drink fine wine,…read moreget the best view in town, and sleep for the night. It's rather hard to get to but after spending a night here in there 4 room lodge I had to put this place on the yelp map. Restaurant: They're food is exquisite. We had a three course meal of deer carpaccio, mushroom soup, scallops, lamb and steak. It was so filling and delicious that for dessert we had to opt for just coffee. But I'm sure it would've been a treat. Their wine selection is also quite fantastic. The owner is a huge fanatic and he even has wine posters and a dusty wine cellar that you can choose from if you have the time. Lodging: The place we stayed in was huge. Four bedrooms with a total of 6 beds. There are signs on how to keep yourself safe from the possums and the extremely hot water of the area. The view from the backyard is actually a better view than you would get at the top of the gondola ride (which is a 40$ excursion in the town) Overall the experience was grand. The owner showed us his unique collection of antiques which included toys so archaic that describing them would need a history lesson.

Our visit was mid-morning on a Monday and we almost had the place to ourselves. We were able to…read moremake it through the entire place in less than an hour including taking photos with almost all of the artwork. It was an interesting experience and some of the photos are very entertaining. Tip: They have some items that you can use as props for some of the photos e.g. umbrella for the 'spout' of liquid. That's not obvious when you are there so you may need to ask.

Had a fantastic time at the 3D art gallery…read more We had a few hours to kill in Rotorua and found this through Google Reviews. Lots to do in the area. We arrived and were greeted by Robyn. She explained that we missed the farm tour by an hour. My girlfriend reeeealllly wanted to pet a sheep on our trip. Robyn went out of her way to take us over to the farm area and let us feed the sheep - trip made. Sooooo amazing! We then went back to the 3D Trick Eye exhibits. So many funny and interesting artworks. We took about 30 photos each. They had an employee that helped us take couples photos - Loved that. Also, loads of parking and nice bathrooms. Would give 6 out of 5 if I could.

Absolutely the best flat white in Rotorua. The breakfasts here are second to none and the view from…read moretheir windows over the lake are spectacular dotted with fumerole steam. Reasonably priced, with a nice portion size and an open venue with plenty of space between tables. Free parking in a dedicated car park just off the main road.

We wandered into this unprepossessing place after wandering around the Ohinemutu community and had…read morea nice lunch. Lots of local meeting, lunching and snacking. J ice view over Lake Rotorua. The salmon steak was cooked just enough, came with nice greens and a half cup of rice. TallI tried the Tahitian lime cold shot..seltzer and a flavored syrup .Lemonicious forI a dessert Nancy was happy with her chicken pasta and had enough to bring some home

Good dinner after a long day 5 stars…read moreLamb Chops and bruschetta were delicious. Good service, great atmosphere down at Eat Streat. Heaters were great as it was cold outside, but it wasn't overbearingly hot. Wine was good as well and wasn't over priced.

Review Title: Extremely Disappointing Family Dining Experience at Wholly Smoked Rotorua…read more Our family of four (two adults and two children) booked a 5:30pm table at Wholly Smoked Rotorua expecting a relaxed evening of barbecue-style dining and smoked meats. Unfortunately, what we experienced was one of the worst restaurant visits we have had in Rotorua. We were seated promptly and given menus, but after placing both our drink and food orders we sat waiting for over an hour with no service, no updates, and no meals arriving. When we finally asked, the waitress told us our food would be "five minutes away." After the long delay, meals eventually came out - but one was completely wrong. A steak that was ordered medium came out well-done and was taken back to the kitchen to be "remade," with another promise of "five minutes." We waited an additional twenty minutes, during which time our children were exhausted and still hungry. By 7pm - ninety minutes after arriving - one child had not been served at all. When the replacement meal finally came out, we had already asked for the bill and decided to leave. To make matters worse, the EFTPOS machine failed three times, making even paying a frustrating ordeal. Despite the positive online reviews we had read before visiting, our experience at Wholly Smoked Rotorua was extremely poor. Slow service, incorrect meals, excessive delays, and disorganisation completely ruined what should have been a simple family dinner. For a restaurant that markets itself around quality smoked meats and family-friendly dining, this was a letdown in every respect. Rotorua has many excellent restaurants, cafes, and takeaways that actually deliver on good service and value - sadly, Wholly Smoked Rotorua is not one of them. If you are looking for barbecue, smoked meats, or a family-friendly restaurant in Rotorua, I would strongly recommend trying elsewhere. One star - very disappointing and not recommended.

We are staying at the Quest apartments and went for breakfast at the suggestionn of the Host there…read more my husband had the Eggs Benedict with pork belly. It was amazing. I had an omelette also yummy. Definitely going back to try other things.

Delicious meal. Fresh ingredients. Courteous staff. Cute little shop with local made goods inside…read moreas well! Definitely worth stopping in when looking for a bite in Rotorua.

A group of us in their function room. Our meals were excellent. Very quick service with a smile…read more Compliments to the chef. Earl grey leaf tea served in an earthenware pot was a treat, not often seen in a cafe. I couldn't resist the custard square in the immaculately presented cabinet to take home. Absolutely devine. Thank you for a memorable experience.

Came here close to closure, so just were able to have a flat white and a Chai Latte, both together…read moreat $15.40 for the large size. It is a little more on the expensive side, but both were really excellent and the staff was very nice. They also have a nice little "Home Sweet Home" shop next to it, go for it...