TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 | Page 55

moon. Children can watch the world-
famous Pōhutu Geyser catapult water
30 metres into the air. A little further
along there are bubbling mud pools,
steam rising from the ground and the
distinctive smell of rotten eggs fills the
air.
TePuia is also the home to the New
Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
which houses the national schools of
wood carving, weaving and stone and
bone carving. Tamariki (children) can
watch master carvers and weavers at
work, and hear the guides share stories
passed down from their ancestors.
In the evening visitors are invited to
a feast which begins with a traditional
welcoming ceremony (pōwhiri) by
fierce warriors followed by a rousing
concert, where kids can join the
giving visitors reminders to stay
behind fences.
Go behind the scenes in Wellywood’s
Weta Cave
Wellington’s Weta Cave is the stuff
of big dreams for small kids. Tiny film
fans can go on a journey from Middle-
earth to Thunderbird’s Tracy Island and
beyond. Guests can snap a photo with
life-sized statues and find souvenirs
to take home. But the movie magic
doesn’t end there!
The Weta Workshop studio tour
reveals secrets behind the making of
much loved films such as The Lord
of the Rings, The Hobbit and The
Chronicles of Narnia. The tour allows
visitors to get up close to the artistry
behind 20 years of Weta creativity,
whilst learning about the processes
A STROLL AROUND
ROTORUA’S
TEWHAKAREWAREWA
VALLEY IN TEPUIA IS
ALMOST AS BEWILDERING
AS A TRIP TO THE MOON.
CHILDREN CAN WATCH THE
WORLD-FAMOUS PŌHUTU
GEYSER CATAPULT WATER
30 METRES INTO THE AIR
that turn imaginary worlds into reality.
“Weta tours reveal the creativity that
lies behind movie magic and are a great
opportunity for kids to get dressed
up. We quite often see Thunderbirds
costumes on our Miniatures Stage
Tour,”Weta’s Lauren McCafferty says.
The Thunderbirds tour is an
interactive adventure filled with
colourful props, miniatures and
models, which is a lot of fun for
children as young as three years old.
Kids and parents can enjoy the rare
opportunity of a photo in a purpose-
built Thunderbirds Are Go set, made
by Weta Workshop exclusively for the
tour.
The Weta Cave Workshop tour is a
cool opportunity for creative kids of
any age (recommended age 6+) to see
costumes, creatures, and handle props.
“There is an added photo-op bonus
with cave trolls Tom, Bert and William
outside, who are no strangers to
selfies,”McCafferty says.
performers on stage to learn the haka
(Māori dance) or poi performance,
where a ball of flax is swung
rhythmically on a string.
The unique combination of
geothermal wonders, live kiwi, native
bush and Māori art, craft and culture
make TePuia a very special place to
visit. Parents don’t have to worry while
the family explores TePuia. Geothermal
areas are sectioned off using wooden
barriers and there are plenty of signs
March 2019 Tourism India
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