Like many towns in New Zealand, the side walks in front of stores in Waihi are covered arcades. They contribute to an Old West look. The town has interesting murals and some statues commenerating its mining past.

Your guides couldn't resist the urge to talk to the statues. But even more impressive, were the murals in Katikati.

Te Puke is the center of the kiwi growing region and the kiwi center has probably the world's biggest kiwi.The aerial view below shows kiwi vines separated by wind breaks. The third photo shows some kiwi fruit on a vine. The last photo shows a palm tree that was common here, but also seen throughout the North Island, the Tiktue Dickensonia (Silver Fern).

The Rotorua area is a cool/hot place. It has lots of geothermal attractions, and therefore it is cool. It call be smelly sometimes because of the sulfer, but we were there during a windy spell so there was no smell.

Hell's Gate has interesting geothermal activity, but there are better bangs for you bucks. However, it does have the southern hemisphere's only hot water waterfall.

The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute has good exhibits about Maori culture. The first three pictures below show a marae. Normally you should not photograph inside maraes, but because this was just an exhibit and not a functioning marae, photos were OK. The last photo is an ornate food storage shelter, similar in idea to those found in Alaska.

Below are some apprentice Maori carvers, plus a ceremonial war canoe.

Its Kiwi House has live kiwis - the only ones we saw on our vacation. Because they are shy nocturnal birds, they are displayed via red light and pictures are not allowed to be taken. So this image was found on the web.

The Institute also has the best thermal site we saw on our trip. Some of its geysers erupt continually.

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