The whole Maori issue in New Zealand is complicated and we didn't really
get a complete grasp of it. For the most part we saw everyone getting along well and
enjoyed the Maoris we met. New Zealand had protections in place for the Maoris from
very early in the white man's settlement but any time a group of immigrants overruns the
indigenous population there is going to be problems. Rotorua is a large lake with steam vents bubbling up sulfur gas around the
southwestern shores. It makes the place smell like rotten eggs but it provides the
heat and minerals for famous hot baths. Rotorua is also the home of the original land luge. You get a small cart with handlebars that steer and brake. You take off down hill on either the scenic or expert course for a few dollars a go. This was our first adrenaline rush activities and the expert course didn't disappoint. I actually spun off the track the first time. You are close enough to the edge of a crash most of the time that you know they will never build one of these in the US. |
Rotorua is a lake and city. It is
favorite tourist destination for weekend getaways from Auckland. It offers a variety
of attractions and also has a good selection of hotels, motels, holiday parks, restaurants
and shops. It is an area with a large Maori population and it seems that relations
are good. The Maoris are involved in the tourist trade and do their part to protect
the reputation of the area. There were reports 
of tourist muggings and one young foreign
woman being attacked but no one was hurt other than psychologically.
There is definitely an undercurrent of
racism in New Zealand and it cuts both ways. It seemed to us that it was just a
natural problem that is difficult to avoid. It just needs continuing effort and the
New Zealanders seemed willed to remain vigilant. This is a traditional Maori meeting
house still in use and found all over New Zealand.