Ohinemutu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ohinemutu
Rotorua showing a park and a hot spring
St. Faith\'s Anglican Church which includes a cemetery, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Rotorua which includes a garden
Rotorua showing a statue or sculpture as well as a small group of people
At this interesting heritage village beside Lake Rotorua see a traditional Māori meeting house, including an unusual church, and experience modern-day Māori life.

Ohinemutu is a small part of the city of Rotorua where ancient and modern Māori culture lives on. Providing an insight into both the past and present way of Māori life, it’s a cultural experience not to be missed. Just like the rest of the Rotorua city center, Ohinemutu sees small pockets of geothermal activity and has wonderful views of Lake Rotorua.

Take a walk along the lake from the center of Rotorua to reach the small settlement. Home to the Ngāti Whakaue people, Ohinemutu is centered on the fascinating Te Papaiouru Marae. A “marae” is a traditional complex of a meeting house with courtyard and any other associated community buildings.

Looking at the intricately painted buildings with wood-carved decorations, you can see how important these are to the local community. The most striking of all is the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house. The meeting house was named after the legendary chief and captain of the Te Arawa “waka” (canoe), which brought the first inhabitants to New Zealand. Notice the inlaid paua shells and the delicate carvings that adorn the façade.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the unusual St. Faith’s Church, which was built on the lake’s shore in 1914. Its Tudor-style exterior, common in England, gives way to an interior with a strong Māori influence. Its most famous feature is a stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ wearing a Māori cloak. The position of the window gives the impression of Jesus walking on the lake’s surface.

As you stroll around the village, hear and smell the geothermal activity, bubbling up through the Earth’s surface. The site of Ohinemutu was chosen to take advantage of these thermal waters for bathing, cooking and heating.

Ohinemutu is only a short walk from central Rotorua. If driving, there is a small parking lot next to the Māori handcrafts shop. The meeting house is not open to the public, but the church is. A donation is kindly requested. As a living and working suburb, Ohinemutu is permanently open and free of charge, but the villagers ask you to respect their privacy as you walk around.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Ohinemutu Hotel Deals

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
4 out of 5
94-98 Lake Road, Rotorua
The price is AU$172 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
AU$172
includes taxes & fees
4 Mar - 5 Mar
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified motel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (425 reviews)
"Was good for one night"

Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2025

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is AU$152 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
AU$152
includes taxes & fees
20 Feb - 21 Feb
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Nice and clean. Comfortable"

Reviewed on 13 Feb. 2025

Rydges Rotorua
Marsden Stay Rotorua
Marsden Stay Rotorua
3 out of 5
273 Fenton St, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is AU$124 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
AU$124
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Polynesian Spa and Skyline Rotorua are located ...
6.8/10 (109 reviews)
"As some of the reviews say is in under renovation, luckily our room was one of the renovated ones. It was clean and spacious. The only thing was the the outside of the Motel and the common areas were ran down."

Reviewed on 11 Feb. 2025

Marsden Stay Rotorua
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
4.5 out of 5
9-11 Tutanekai St, P O Box 348, Rotorua
The price is AU$212 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$212
includes taxes & fees
9 Mar - 10 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy 6 spa tubs, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Thermal pools were awesome."

Reviewed on 25 Jan. 2025

Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Arawa Park Hotel
Arawa Park Hotel
4 out of 5
272 Fenton St, Rotorua
The price is AU$115 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
AU$115
includes taxes & fees
20 Feb - 21 Feb
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Was close to family i was visiting and everything was of good quality"

Reviewed on 13 Feb. 2025

Arawa Park Hotel
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
3 out of 5
463 Old Taupo Road (South End), Rotorua
The price is AU$92 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
AU$92
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Rotorua. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (415 reviews)
"Would have liked a toilet in our cabin but the shared bathroom facilities were clean and bright and not too far from the cabin."

Reviewed on 15 Feb. 2025

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Ohinemutu

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Koutu

Koutu might not have many top sights, but Kuirau Park and Tama-te-Kapua Meeting House are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Koutu
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Mangakakahi

Though Mangakakahi may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Kuirau Park and Eat Street.

Mangakakahi
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Victoria

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Victoria and surrounding area, you can visit Rotorua Central Mall and Rotorua Night Market.

Victoria
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Utuhina

While Utuhina isn't home to many top sights, Kuirau Park and Rotorua Central Mall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Utuhina
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Fenton Street

4/5(825 area reviews)

You'll love the luxurious spas in Fenton Street, and you might want to stick around to check out Whakarewarewa Hot Springs, a top place to visit.

Fenton Street
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Glenholme

If you're spending some time in Glenholme, Whakarewarewa Hot Springs and Racing Rotorua are top sights worth seeing.

Glenholme

Ohinemutu Travel Guide

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