Charles Royal runs these tours and he enthusiastically showed us the numerous wild plants that are edible on the island. He explained that the Kawakawa tree, Maori Bush Basil or Maori Pepper have many uses and gave us little sachets of the crushed, prepared leaves he said we could use to spice up many dishes. Charles told us there are seven edible varieties of ferns and pointed out the Hen and Chickens fern, which is surprisingly soft and sweet to the taste.
When we'd done exploring and sampling, he took us back down to Hinemoa's pool, where we sat dabbling our feet in the warmth as he produced on a camping stove, like a magician bringing a rabbit out of a hat, a selection of quick-cook courses, made with some of the herbs and ferns he'd just shown us.
It's an amazing experience of a Maori tradition and way of existing with the land that is truly wonderful.
Charles Royal, Kinaki NZ, PO Box 1030, Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand. 0064 7 345 3122, www.maorifood.com
What a beautiful place to while away a few hours having a massage, a mud wrap, enjoying the thermal pools.
Ask anywhere in Rotarua and they will point you in the right direction
Located in some woods you'll find two streams, one hot and the other cold which meet creating a beautiful natural heated bathing pool. You could even try it at night by candlelight (we did). Plus all of this is FREE, except the candles!
This was my most memorable place on my four month trip around New Zealand with my family.
By a small brige on Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland loop road 27kms South of Rotorua/Taupo Highway. Recommended campsite that we used is the Doc (department of conservation) campsite by Lake Rerewhakaaitu.
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- Population:
- 53,000
- Currency:
- Dollar (NZ $)
- Time zone:
- GMT+12
- Dialling code:
- 64 (0) 7