Portal:New Zealand/Selected article/Week 16, 2006

Rotorua is a city located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. It has a population of 53,000 half of which are Māori. The city is located 60 km south of Tauranga, 105 km south-east of Hamilton and 82 km north-east of Taupo.

Rotorua is a spa resort, well-known for the geothermal activity in the area. There are a number of geysers (notably the 20 m Pohutu geyser at Whakarewarewa) and hot mud pools located in the city, which owe their presence to the Rotorua caldera.

Rotorua is home to not only geothermal interests, but botanical gardens and some interesting historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort for more than a century, many of the buildings hint at this history. The formal Government Gardens close to the lakeshore at the eastern end of the town are particularly worth of note. Recently featured: Jean Batten &middot; New Zealand foreshore and seabed controversy &middot; New Zealand Cadet Forces &middot; Archive