Why is Rotorua significant?

Why is Rotorua significant?

Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools.

What did Ihenga do?

Ihenga was an early Māori explorer, according to Te Arawa folklore. He is credited with exploring and naming many towns and natural features throughout the North Island. He was the grandson of Tama-te-kapua, who was the captain of the Te Arawa canoe. Ihenga then traveled south and settled around the Rotorua lakes.

What is the meaning of Rotorua?

second lake
Lake Rotorua The name “Rotorua” comes from the Māori language; “roto” means lake and “rua” means two – Rotorua thus meaning “second lake”.

Who discovered Rotorua?

Ihenga
The founder of Rotorua was a Māori explorer named Ihenga in the 14th century. The first Māori inhabitants arrived shortly after his discovery, transported by canoe from Hawaiki in Eastern Polynesia.

What is the history of Rotorua?

Rotorua was built in the early 1880s by the government, as a town for tourists visiting the ‘hot lakes’. It was laid out on the Pukeroa–Oruawhata block, land leased from Ngāti Whakaue near the Māori lakeside settlement of Ōhinemutu.

What is special about Rotorua?

Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing our fascinating Māori culture.

How did rotoiti get its name?

His first impression of the lake deceived Īhenga into thinking it was not of great size, thus coining the name Lake Rotoiti or Te Roto-Whaiti-i-kite-ai-a-Ihenga-i-Ariki-ai-a Kahumatamomoe, which translated means “The Small Lake Discovered By Īhenga”.

What did Ihenga name?

Ihenga could only see a small part of the lake. He named it Te Rotoi (the small lake). Arriving at the lake edge Ihenga saw shoals of Inanga jumping close to shore. He wove a basic net from ferns and was able to catch many.

Why is Rotorua called Vegas?

Author and broadcaster Max Cryer’s just-released Godzone Dictionary says Rotovegas is “an amusing and affectionate nickname for Rotorua, combining its name with Las Vegas, as a none-too-subtle acknowledgement of the tourist and Maori entertainment industry that makes up a major part of the local economy”.

Is Lake Rotoiti a volcano?

Formed over 8500 years ago, Lake Rotoiti is a combination of two lakes that have joined as one, with the Western section being a drowned valley and the Eastern section a volcanic depression (the Okataina Caldera).

How big of a city is Minamata, Kumamoto?

It is on the west coast of Kyūshū and faces Amakusa islands. Minamata was established as a village in 1889, re-designated as a town in 1912 and grew into a city in 1949. As of March 2017, the city has an estimated population of 25,310 and a population density of 160 persons per km².

Where is the city of Minamata in Japan?

Location in Japan. Minamata (水俣市, Minamata-shi) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. It is on the west coast of Kyūshū and faces Amakusa islands. Minamata was established as a village in 1889, re-designated as a town in 1912 and grew into a city in 1949.

What was the cause of the disease in Minamata?

Minamata is known due to Minamata disease, a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning. The disease was discovered in 1956. A local chemical plant was blamed for causing the disease by emitting untreated wastewater to the Minamata Bay.

What was the environmental disaster in Minamata Japan?

The city is best known as the former site of an environmental disaster caused by industrial pollution of the bay with mercury. From 1932 to 1968, the chemical company Chisso discharged effluent containing methyl mercury from their plant in Minamata.