Carved entrance to Te Puia, a Maori cultural icon

Hundreds of years ago, Te Puia was built as an impenetrable defence fortress with the Whakarewarewa geysers and geothermal activity providing a natural hot water moat. In 1963 the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute was established on the site. Today, Te Puia is a magnificent visitor attraction in the heart of Rotorua, combining cultural and geothermal attractions.

Photographer: Destination Rotorua (www.rotoruanz.co.nz)