The 47 best shopping and stores in Rotorua

Gorgeous store with beautiful local designer clothes, taonga, pōtai, tiakarete me rongoa. I went in last month with my mum and was a bit whakamaa as I'm on the plus side. I was welcomed so warmly and made to feel comfortable. Ended up getting a gorgeous Taimana print poncho which I love, and later a shirt that is so comfortable. Super high quality items throughout the store and staff manaaki you with sincerity.

Fast and efficient service and postage. Slightly big, hey aha, I Love Love Love my Olive wool Pōtae. Thank you.

Love this store & totally recommend it! I'm a big supporter of small local businesses, especially if they're Maori owned & operated. I've bought a few items online but finally got to go in-store just before Christmas. It was worth it! If you're in Rotorua you must check them out. If you're not check them out online!

Beautiful shop! Such a lovely wahine who served us. No better feeling then supporting a small maori business! You won't regret going in for a browse 😊

I purchased the Aonui Poncho on my recent visit to Rotorua. Am so in love with it. Was perfect to wear to Wellington Gold Business Awards last night. Thanks Adrienne. Keep up the amazing mahi x

Absolutely beautiful Maori inspired clothing. Managed to nab myself a couple of items & I am stoked with them! Looks like I’ll be changing my wardrobe! Looking forward to more collections!! Definitely worth every penny!!

Kia ora. I was gifted a beautifully designed kimono. Unfotunately it keeps sliding off my shoulders and ends up rolling down my back. It looks like a bunch of material sitting at the base of my back. It happens everytime I wear it. Can you please give me some advice on how to wear it so I can showoff it off without it rolling down my back. Ngā mihi.

Chris, the shop owner was kind and so knowledgeable! He has a genuine appreciation for antiques. He happily shared the history of many items with me, as well as asked about myself and travels, very personable. The shop was tidy, items well displayed and the selection was outstanding! Prices were fair. I left with a few treasures I will cherish forever! Thank you, Chris to your dedication to preserving history through antiques and collectibles. Highly recommend making a visit!

Chris is an amazing antiques dealer. With his extensive experience, his shop is filled with carefully curated pieces, unique items from all over the world, each with its own story. You can truly find anything there. I will definitely be coming back, not only for the treasures in his shop, but simply to talk to him, he is a genuinely wonderful person.

Was so pleased to find exactly what I was looking for online Rotorua Antiques Facebook page! The owner was super responsive on Facebook which made the online sale super quick as we are not local. The item arrived packaged very well- no damage at all. Thank you Rotorua Antiques, I can’t wait to visit in person one day.

Beautiful shop that you really have to take your time to walk around in and spot all the hidden treasures. Something for everyone, the owner is very picky with what they purchase and sell in the shop and so you can be rest assured nothing you buy will have chips or be damaged. Service is amazing, as a younger couple my partner and I were made to feel respected and valued as customers which has been a rarity for us as vintage collectors. Definitely recommend a look through and I'm sure you will find something you love like we did! Cannot wait to go back!

Had a great conversation and the shop keep was very informative on the handcrafted jewelry I picked up. Would recommend for tourists to get gifts and some really cool stuff!

This is an amazing store with a vast selection of interesting pieces at reasonable prices. The shopkeeper was very nice to chat with and has an impressive knowledge of the stock. Look forward to visiting again.

Lovely shop- great owner. Highly recommend visiting when in Rotorua

Quite disappointed with my glass blowing pumpkin session. Session was booked for 30mins, however the entire session only took 20mins. I felt really rushed throughout the process. Final product of the pumpkin turned out quite upsetting. The stalk was attached by the instructor however as picture shows, there’s a chip/defect present on it. I’d suggest for people out there to just buy one of their products instead of attending a session atleast you would have a better quality product.

What a wonderfully, enriching experience I had at Omokura glass. This creative team lead by Heather were so patient and passionate about sharing their love of glass as they coached, guided and taught their craft. I recommend their workshops to any one. It will be a memorable experience. And just look at the treasures you’ll create too. Double whammy!

This is my happy place. I have done a few workshops here and enjoy coming over for a visit. I love the friendly atmosphere. feel very lucky to come and sit and watch the staff have fun blowing glass. I would be here more often if I could.

We had such a.wonderful day today at your workshop..Two paperweights and one pumpkin later, we completed our experience. Now we want to do it all again. Thank you to your whole team. I would highly recommend the experience to others.

I purchased a glass blowing experience for my wife for her birthday. Wow..what an experience. From the awesome team explaining the process to the making of the pumpkin itself this was a unique experience. Even better they will ship overseas along with other items we purchased. Thoroughly recommended!

Our family just wandered into the shop and could see the artist at work. She was friendly, explained every step of her process and in the time we were there watched her make two vases and a tumbler. If you would like to learn about hand made glass work this is certainly the place to visit. Heather, the artist , offers short classes to experience glass blowing first hand. She has hand made pieces available to purchase. It is an educational experience for over 8 year olds that the whole family can enjoy. Highly recommend!

Heather and Nico were amazing teachers. They instilled confidence every step of the journey. With their patience and knowledge, I was able to create things I was super happy with. Highly recommend this workshop!

This is the signature store of the Mountain Jade jewellery shops. The location is easily accessible by road and while roaming in the city center. A huge variety of kade stone jewellery is sold here and some of the artefacts are just amazing. A huge jade stone is kept in the store entrance to showcase the actual stone taken out of a quarry. A workshop is in here which can be toured toom It is very popular with tourists who usually take something from here on their way back home. The staff are nice and knowledgeable about the artefacts and jewellery sold. Well recommended.

Absolutely loved wandering through the store and looking at the jade carvings. Attended the 1 hour jade carving tour. The guide was amazing (I have forgotten his name) and the artist we met and witnessed carve Dylan was super friendly also. Highly recommend attending as you get to choose your own small piece of jade to take him as a necklace.

Loved the tour and I was very impressed with the piece of Pounamu we were given. The store is also very lovely and the staff is very knowledgeable. There is a very large selection of pieces so you can definitely find something you'll like. My one suggestion would be to have an child/infant option where they can add on a necklace at the end of the tour as well. Probably not full-priced adult ticket but I would have paid extra for my two-year-old to get to pick out a necklace like everyone else at the end of the tour.

I found our visit to Mountain Jade to be a little disappointing. We had booked their short tour, which we thought would be more organized and informative. It was 5 minutes long, where she listed the different names of the types of jade and then showed us a model that shows the evolution of one carving. There was no watching carving, listening to a carver, or anything we didn’t already learn on our tour in Te Puia (which was very much worth the visit). The fact we waited around in Rotorua for this made it all the more disappointing. It’s possible the staff member we had was the source of the problem - but overall - it was a real let down. In addition, I found their Jade products to be highly over priced. Found beautiful Jade products in other places in New Zealand for almost half the cost (for the same quality). So overall, our visit was disappointing. Glad we decided to hold off and not buy anything here. While pounamu is not necessarily cheap - it’s also not as expensive elsewhere.

Local, unique, and absolutely special, if you're looking for pounamu jade this is absolutely the place. The variety is astounding and the craftsmanship is superb, and the guide for symbolism is very helpful for deciding on a piece that can hold special significance in your heart, much like your trip to NZ, hopefully. It was delightful as well to swap stories with Shevana, who was the most helpful, bright, friendly soul, and learn more about the history of pounamo and share fun cultural quirks between NZ and the States. If ever I have the opportunity to return, I hope to find myself back at this store for another significant piece and to share and swap smiles with whomever is gracious enough to be working that day.

I've been waiting for so long to own a jade stone and Mountain Jade was the best place to start with. The tour gave great insights about the Pounamu, how it's carved, and the culture it reflects. It was very educational and owning your very own piece at the end was special. The staff was very welcoming and knowledgeable. The tour is highly recommended to those who would like to dive into the Maori culture.

Highly recommend doing the tour! So much information and knowledge. Fell in love with the shop, amazing staff and talented artists 💚

Walked into this stunningly beautiful store with the most comforting vibe and wonderful displays. However, my friends and I had our experience ruined when the older worker behind the desk spoke rudely to one of us. There was no consideration for us as customers or even an attempt at treating us as such, instead we were met with animosity and ignorance. I’m incredibly disappointed at the fact that we were treated so coldly and advise that the woman who spoke to us should maybe try to be kinder to the people entering their store.

Stopped here with my wife while in Rotorua, thoroughly enjoyed it. Staff was lovely, we enjoyed that there were a lot of books about the area and books by local authors. Got a few gifts and couldn't resist a couple stickers as well.

McLeods is a beautiful, local book store with the quality of service of a barista asking if you want piss in your coffee for an extra $4. I went in this weekend with my friends to look for a gift. We weren’t greeted until we said hello ourselves and were offered no help despite being the only people in the store (which was fine). What we were given however were cold stares as we looked at the books. After struggling to settle on something I eventually took out my phone to start taking photos of and looking up reviews online. The older woman (who again, had so far done nothing but silently stare down myself and my friends) abruptly and in the tone of a teacher telling a child not to pick their nose, told me I couldn’t take photos. I explained why I was doing it and she simply said “I know” and didn’t offer any assistance. She was so unhelpful and her tone was so needlessly sharp that it was almost funny in how bizarre it was. I’ve never in my life met someone working in a store who seems so averse to making a sale. Anyway, I had bought several books from McLeods in the past from friendly, insightful, and helpful staff - I don’t know if they’re still there but I know I’ll never find out now. Im a big believer in supporting local but my friends and I were treated callously from the moment we stepped inside and I would rather swallow my own money than support that kind of behaviour. 1/5 I’ll take my coffee without the piss.

Nice to have an independent bookstore still around. Their store is organised in a logical way, and their Māori book selection is definitely one of the best (as per their website). Whilst I was browsing, it seems like the staff are dedicated to helping customers find the books they're after, as I heard them calling around other bookstores in the country. Prices are as standard, comparable to chain bookstores, but buying from an independent store is more satisfying.

I ordered the Te Arawa book written by Don Stafford, yesterday at lunch. This afternoon, it was delivered to my house. Quick, easy, and very stoked with my purchase. Will 100% be ordering from McLeods again

Love love love this bookstore. Good variety of books with handwritten summaries and recommendations slipped into the pages of many books. It felt as though I had a book lover with me giving personalised recommendations. I found so many new books to read. The atmosphere was peaceful, the place had a nice book-ish scent, and the music was peaceful.

Gorgeous little bookshop, got two pretty puzzles I haven’t seen elsewhere, and interesting range of cookbooks and gardening books! Reasonable prices as well.

Beautiful store with gorgeous pieces and lots of choice and price ranges; really nice and friendly staff

I really appreciated this shop for offering educational insights about pounamu. The staff were all amazing and super helpful. It was special to learn about the unique stories behind each artist—their creative process, personal journeys, and deep connection to pounamu. I’m grateful for the openness in sharing such a sacred and meaningful stone with travelers like myself, and for the opportunity to learn more about Māori culture through it. I spent time researching and visiting several shops across Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington, and this one stood out not only for the quality of craftsmanship but also for its fair and reasonable pricing. One thing I especially valued was how transparent they were about the types of jade being sold—clearly labeling pieces that were not pounamu. Unfortunately, that clarity isn’t always common in other places, so I really appreciated the honesty and care here. I purchased a beautiful piece for my partner, and he chose one for me as well. We treasure them deeply, and it’s so meaningful to carry a little piece of Aotearoa with us—a lasting memory of this incredible land and its people.

Such a great experience. We visited the Mountain Jade store in Rotorua. They have a lot of selections. Bought these pounamu chorded necklace (Toki & Koru). So impressed with the quality & craftsmanship, Thank you also for the friendly and accomodating staff who assisted. We finally have a pounamu hand carved in NZ. Yay!

Love this store and the staff. Came here 20 years ago too! Love my new pounamu drop.

Very laid out store with THOUSANDS of options it seems. It's like a fancy jewelery store except all jade! Prices can range from low as $18 to thousand depending on what it is, like the kauri gum resin pendants they have too. The staff are helpful too, and informed us of the free tours at the other store 3 blocks away. I have no idea why this store exists though when the other is so close?

Amazing knowledge of the products as well as an in-depth history and kōrero about the Wairua of the Paunamu and it’s origins! Nui mihi koe!

AJ is so awesome and has amazing customer service 👏 Thank you 💜

I went in to get new string for my pounamu, the lady was very lovely and helpful! Great quality string, as well as a gorgeous shop.

What a beautiful selection of New Zealand jade! I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, so the salesperson kindly directed me to a store that had the piece I wanted. That’s quality service and was much appreciated!

Great owner run jade shop which also carves most of its river jade stones on the spot. Charming people, superb quality. Traditional as well as modern creations. I couldn’t resist 😀

I bought a jade-and-gold ring and jade Pandora charm from them. I appreciated that they carried all New Zealand pounamu and had in-house artisans. The salesperson was very helpful without being pushy.

They have design that traditional New Zealand greenstone as well as more up market with precious metals. Jewellery or souvienir! You choose!

My husband and I bought our necklaces from Puawai Jade in Eat Streat, Rotorua. Absolutely beautiful! I received lots of compliments. 😅 Excellent quality NZ jade, set in 18k gold. (We bought our gold chains separately). It comes with a small authenticity card. The pendants are still in very good condition even after a couple of years of wearing. The staff here are friendly, informative and accommodating. Highly recommended. 👍

Staff were lovely and I wish I could remember the name of the chic who greeted me possibly the manager, she was so helpful and informative. I only walked out with rings this time but plan on heading back when I'm back in Rotorua.

Often snack at Papas Cafe. Great food and coffee baked on premises. Pleasant atmosphere and popular with locals. Thanks

Our local shopping centre with small shops. Caters well for the local community. Excellent parking. Could do with a spruce up as some premises are looking a little tired.

A very Dirty shopping centre rubbish outside shops.looks like the paving needs a good scrub down or water blasting

With all the shopping malls being built nearby and the lakefront it's easy to see the empty stores and how run down this shopping center has become. Yes I know this is harsh but that's reality in these times.The 4 square,meat market and usual food shops with hardware store being the main business here. Don't get me wrong what is here has die hard customers and the staff are always well mannered and helpful. I left here 13 years ago but I still call in to the Te Ngae takeaways when passing through. Abit of a shame as the shopping centre was once a thriving business center.

Has everything you need in one place

There is a bakery tucked into a corner.... Papas bakery? Anyway... The food is as close as possible to the old fashion bakery food I was treated to as a child. The apple squares taste of heavenly delight.... Perfect blend of apples, cinnamon and the cake part is devine. At the rate I eat these.. I'm gonna die young! 😂

This use to be the best shopping mall to go to. There use to be a supermarket 3 GUYS once that closed everything changed. Still a great place to get takeaway food, Mad Butchers, 4 Square, Bakery, Pharmacy. So if you are ever out that way good place to visit.

Visited this store recently & noticed that the staff (an older lady) seemed to watch us very closely, which gave the impression that she suspected us of stealing, she handed us a basket to hold the items we were purchasing, yet continued to watch like a hawk. This level of scrutiny was very surprising and made us feel unwelcome, especially in a space that is meant to promote peace and spirituality. It was overall an uncomfortable experience. We previously have had great experiences here, but this was our first encounter with this staff member. We hope the store can create a more welcoming environment for future visitors.

Absolutely make u feel like scum. Greeted me very friendly...my husband and son walked in just after and he told the other staff to keep an eye on them...and jumped to watch them...I'm white they are not...so that sums up the vibe of that place .have never been nor will I be back.

Great customer service. Timely delivery and extremely happy with the product.

These folks were a great help when I was purchasing my SR foredom drill. Good price, quick shipping and great product!

Beautiful selection of locally sourced crystals. The agates and quartz are a juicy treat.

I went to shop today to buy some special stones , lady Bev was very helpful where the other staff a young lady apparently called Cheyenne was sitting down didn't want to get up amd help this poor old lady bev where she was trying to help me to find stones , I said to bev do you want to ask other lady she tried to ask Cheyenne but she wasn't keen to help and never leave her chair what a lazy staff!!! Where bev was very helpful and helped me to get what i needed, I came from auckland as I was visiting rotorua for a an event , not a good experience with some lazy staff but good work bev keep it up .

VERY QUICK AND EFFICIENT MAIL OUTS

We bought a tallboy from Exotic Imports for added kitchen storage and to bring a bit of character into our modern, sleek-lined home. It is perfect. The staff at Exotic Imports were helpful and responsive, and our purchase arrived carefully packaged to ensure there was no damage. Thank you, it is a very welcome addition to our home and we can't wait to visit the store in Rotorua.

Absolutely loved my experience with this shop. Cheryl was such a star. I was having trouble purchasing something online and she sorted out the whole thing for me. So helpful! We picked up our gorgeous draws today and she even helped us load it in! A+ service. Highly recommended. And we're just absolutely in love with our beautiful piece of furniture from India.

Awesome shop with great service. Anne is so lovely and very catering. The products are all great quality with character. We've bought a TV cabinet/side board cabinet and decor for the Home and they've both been great quality. Highly recommended!!!

Love the variety this shop offers.

Great prices, great finds, great service. Purchased the Moroccan Unit online. Absolutely stunning. So very thrilled. The many photos of this on the website were spot on. (No filtering or editing here). Customer service was terrific from the lovely Anne. Was wrapped and sent very next day. So grateful for the person who wrapped this so extremely well. Unit arrived just as it was in pics, but better!

Ordered on line a beautiful glass bottle. It came in 3 days and was exactly as on the picture. Well packed and the price is reasonable for an import from Mexico. Have been in the shop and it is so interesting so you could spend the whole day there.

I bought an Indian Kantha from here. Really happy with the product, no issue at all - the range in this store is astonishing awesome. For me, this was an important purchase, the item isn't necessarily inexpensive for my budget - so the three star review comes from being really unimpressed with the slightly indifferent cool customer service I received (1/11/21) when purchasing. It wasn't terrible service, but there was nothing good about it. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'll be going here again as a local to buy stuff after this first impression.

Visited this book shop today and was disappointed by the welcome from the two women working there. Got told off for using my phone to add a book to my list and made to feel very uncomfortable so ended up leaving. Such a shame because I would have bought the book. Would recommend if you want you self esteem battered. Cheers x

Awesome service. Great to deal with people who know their books and authors. Tracked down some older books for me at no cost. Fantastic time spent in your shop. Thank you for being so helpful.

Great book shop. The 2 lovely women staff are very friendly and nice to chat to. Yes I'd come back to their book shop.

Weird vibe, mega rude staff. As as with Samantha’s review, I was rudely reprimanded by the woman behind the counter for leafing through a book, saying 'people like to buy their books new' and asking me to put the book down. My girlfriend (who had been about to make a purchase) and I both left, bemused and offended by her attitude. This illustrates perfectly why this kind of attitude is bad for business. If you own a bookshop, people will occasionally look through said books without buying them. Sorry, but that’s just life.

Went here seeking books by NZ authors and was rudely reprimanded for writing down names of authors for future reference. The selection is sparse and much of the stock was damaged, would highly recommend shopping around the corner at Atlantis Books where they have a great selection of new and secondhand titles at great prices with a very friendly and helpful counter attendant.

Love this little shop. The sisters that run it are lovely, love our little chats when I get my lotto. They have array of books and accessories

Best place in town to get your lotto. Great service with a laugh and smile from the 2 young ladies behind the counter.

Had what we wanted. Semi friendly. Well stocked shop

Best Gift/Souvenir shop in NZ that we found! After already being impressed by the huge range and variety in this shop (not just the "regular" items found in every other souvenir shop) My daughter and I purchased a couple of small cheap necklaces "for fun" which became a little memento of our trip (I'm a Kiwi living in Canada, on a holiday - just me and 26 yr old her!) After she lost hers, I contacted Tutanekai Gifts from Canada, and they were kind enough to arrange to send a replacement (and MORE!) to us via a local family member in NZ. Needless to say how surprised she was when I was able to give her a replacement for her birthday! A big thanks and huge shout out to this store for truly going above and beyond in true good old fashioned Kiwi style! Want souvenirs and even gifts even locals will appreciate - SHOP HERE! - Allen K

I had a great experience at this store, the prices were reasonable and there were a variety of things to buy from. The staff of this store is very friendly and helping.

- Excellent service. - Good selection of souvenirs. - Good prices. - Convenient location.

Best shop ever! Found something for everyone 😉 and it didn't cost me the earth. Stunning service (I went back again) in a beautiful part of Rotorua.

Great service, they were really helpful and polite

a good selection of souvenirs and a pleasant and attentive attitude of the seller. We bought unusually beautiful jewelry. Thanks

Owner Rebecca and Shelly were so lovely and helpful! The store is beautiful filled with gifts and goodies to fill your own home! There is also candle making classes that I will go attend as the ladies were so lovely to be around. I am new to town and this was such an inviting and welcoming space! This is a must visit 😍

What a beautiful way to spend a few hours on a Saturday in Spring. A well designed and delivered workshop that set us up for success. The content was informative and very interesting. Our tutor was lovely and gave clear and friendly instructions. The variety of decorative materials for us to use was abundant and inspiring. Earring making was a great addition to keep us creatively occupied while we waited for our candles to be ready for decorating. This was all topped off with a fresh and tasty lunch platter. Thank you Juniper Rotorua

Pleasantly surprised by this GORGEOUS store! Cute and creative items at a great price. Must visit again when back in Rotorua! Beautiful staff.

LOVE this store!!! I came across it today on a cycle into town whilst in Rotorua on holiday. The mix of plants, super unique soy candles, homeware, art and jewellery is really unique. Congrats guys on managing to create something different and very very cool!!

Juniper is a local treasure, the wonderful ladies there are so talented , I attended a hens party candle and jewellery making class which was educational and fun! Yummy snacks too and such a special vibe, thank you juniper - we all loved it!!!

This is an absolute hidden wee gem in Rotorua! I could have bought the entire store quite comfortably (bank acc wouldn’t have been too comfy though…). This is a cultivated array of beautiful art, home decor, plants, jewellery and NZ designed goodies. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a gift or just something to brighten up your own space. Very friendly staff, plus they do gift wrapping (I feel this is a dying offering these days!)

Lovely place with gorgeous handmade candles with really nice scents and indoor plant supplies. Excited to try the candle making workshop next time we’re here!

I absolutely love this gorgeous little shop. It is always changing I feel like everytime I go out to Ngongotaha there is something new to see. This is the type of store Rotorua / ngo need more of.

A refreshing and inspirational store in the heart of Ngongotaha and such an asset to the small community! A lovely selection of tasteful & modern items, which were nicely displayed and grouped, without being too overwhelming. Great gift ideas and healthy plants, together with an interesting array of decorative pots. The shop owner was very pleasant, knowledgeable and not one bit pushy. I couldn’t help but purchase a few special items and to top it off … the gift wrapping was a nice touch which was tastefully executed. Looking for something special ? … this store is definitely worth a visit :).

Best shop ever, love buying the recycled plastic bottle felt tote bags, plenty of room for shopping. Just purchased the lastest and greatest back pack made out of the recycled plastic bottles.

A delightful shopping experience. A great selection of classy gift ideas at reasonable prices. Well worth a visit. A perfect shop to find that gift for someone special.

I love this shop! It has a great selection for gift ware and plants. Definitely worth a visit ☺

Really nice shopping experience, good selection of gifts that are different to chain stores. Will be going back to do my Christmas shopping 🛍

Great gift shop. Lots of choose, friendly service

The face masks are very tight (ear killers) (for me anyway) and sent with an extender (rather unattractive and awkward). I would not recommend them unless you are happy to do some alterations. Definitely needs adjustable ear pieces. (Lesson learned).

Lovely to see Rozcraft and meet lovely Ros and her daughter. Got 3 nice masks, cat and dog themes. Pretty and comfortable. Lots of patterns.

We dropped by randomly and saw that this is a tiny handwork factory where they handmake a bunch of the sheeps and possum things. We were greated by Roz herself, the woman who started the craft company. She is lovely and has been making them for 39 years! We were able to buy the loop sheep we have wanted directly from them and we are very happy with our purchase!

A unique place where manufacturing is still taking place in Rotorua with no outsourcing to low wage economies overseas. Predominantly natural products. The best kept secret for wool, beads and craft materials.

Awesome welcome, Roz, David and Sonny very easy to talk with, they sell to the public Great little stop

My cats love their possum fur toys

Bought lamb skin which was a really good price

Te Puia is an absolutely stunning and fascinating place — the geothermal landscape, the geysers, and the deep Māori heritage make it truly unique and worth visiting. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the cultural spirit of the place is unmistakable. However, the guided tour was quite disappointing. It felt overly long and slow-paced — 90 minutes, with at least half of that time spent standing around without much happening. While I fully understand that the tour is an important source of income for the Māori community, visitors also value their time and expect an engaging, well-structured experience. Several people in our group clearly lost interest, which is unfortunate because Te Puia has so much to offer. Suggested improvements: • Shorten the tour to 45–60 minutes, focusing on the most interesting and meaningful parts. • Add more interactive or live elements — demonstrations, Q&A sessions, brief performances, or moments for guests to engage directly. • Consider offering two options: a standard tour and a premium cultural experience, so guests can choose the depth they want. • Train guides to keep the storytelling dynamic, with more energy and interaction. The place itself is extraordinary — it just deserves a tour program that matches its beauty and cultural significance. With a few thoughtful changes, Te Puia could easily become one of the most memorable experiences in New Zealand.

What an amazing experience! Our tour guide Hunter was fantastic and shared loads of interesting information about his people and culture. It was so good to see the arts institute and the people keeping Maori culture alive. The geysers also put on a spectacular show for us, going off multiple times while we were there. We also got to see some Kiwis for the first time! Then in the evening, the buffet was great, especially the Hangi cooked food! Then the cultural performance at the end was incredible. Well worth the money as we had a blast for several hours! Ka pai!

An absolutely amazing and informative day! As two uk tourists who had never been to a geothermal area, and had only been in NZ for 3 weeks, this was the perfect place to learn about the geothermal activity in the area and how the people there view it. We did the Tuku Iho trail, which was a perfect length of time, we saw everything and getting to eat the sweetcorn cooked in the hot pool was definitely one of the best parts. Paul our tour guide was so great, obviously very passionate and knowledgeable, chatted with us while we walked between sites, and really clear with his descriptions. It’s quite a lot of walking and not too much stopping (although we stopped by the hot pool while cooking/eating for 30 mins, and you could’ve sat for 15 mins while we watched the geysers), so be aware if walking for most of 3 hours would be too much for you. Overall, an amazing day! Would recommend to anyone wanting to see the geothermal stuff as well as learning from someone who’s connected to the area. The park itself is great, lots of info boards to read. The arts building is definitely worth a visit, it’s interesting to learn how their arts are made and to see the culture being supported with new apprentices all the time. Also a great gift shop if that’s something you like! We saw the geysers errupting and the mud pools bubbling away so can’t complain. Not too busy in the park - end of November when we visited.

A truely wonderful experience and a must for visitors to not only Rotorua but to New Zealand and the magnificent islands. The beauty is how New Zealand has embraced the Māori culture and rich history. This experience includes everything from traditional dancing show to seeing the springs to a lovely buffet dinner. The attraction is only a 5 minute drive from town centre so is easy to reach, but make sure you book tickets in advance! Enjoy

This is a must do if you visit Rotorua. From understanding Māori traditions, craft education, geothermal geysers, and kiwi conservation through to a fantastic cultural experience with song, dance and a haka. And yes if you are lucky you will get to see one of the kiwi birds in their nocturnal house. Our guide Ngahuia was excellent and was passionate about telling her tribe and ancestors story. A fantastic couple of hours. Highly recommend a visit and make sure you book tickets in advance and ones that include the cultural performances. Afterwards we visited the Pataki Kai cafe for a panini and drinks. Nice end to the visit.

This experience was fantastic. We did the Te Po combo. The guided tour through the school was so much more than I thought it would be. I learned a lot and I love the idea behind the school. Its such a lovely concept. The dinner was also great. I wasnt expecting much but the food options were plentiful and everything was so delicious. Cultural performance was stunning and fun and beautiful all at the same time. Seeing the geyser at night was beautiful. So peaceful and pretty. I highly recommend doing this option and taking in all the culture and history. Everyone who works at Te Puia is very passionate about their Mouri heritage. Thank you

This was an excellent 2-hour combo experience, which consisted of 3 parts: Māori arts and craft (with an introduction to the different schools and art forms), the valley of the geysers, and the dance performance. We also got to see a kiwi! It was well paced. Informative. The show was spectacular and we had wonderful views of the geysers. Also, the shop had the best NZ souvenir selection we saw in New Zealand.

Absolutely stunning experience! Walking high among the giant redwoods felt peaceful and surreal. The forest smells amazing, and the views from the bridges are beautiful. I went for the night walk — the lights and soft music made it feel magical, almost cinematic. It’s a bit pricey for the length of the walk, but totally worth it for the atmosphere and photos.

The hiking trip was a great experience, made even better by the clear and easy-to-follow signage along the trails. The signs not only guided the way but also provided a range of walking options with different time durations, making it convenient to choose a route that suited our pace and preference. The variety ensured that both casual walkers and more seasoned hikers could enjoy the area comfortably.

We went just after a coupe of days of non-stop rain and personally was worried it will be ruined but found it just as exiting and quite fresh and alive due to the rain. Well worth the visit and highly recommended, even our 4 year old really enjoyed it.

There are several trails to select from. We walked the Green Trail which is a 5k loop. There are steps to get to the scenic overlook, but not too difficult. Throughout there are benches to rest and enjoy the peaceful forest. The trek is all about the towering Redwoods and worth the excursion.

We loved walking through the forest in the late afternoon with the sun piercing through. There was hardly anybody in the forest. Make sure to visit the creek, its stunning! Ample parking nearby and great signage so it’s hard to get lost!

Google Maps Review (short version): ⭐ 5.0 — “A magical forest that comes alive at night.” When darkness falls, the forest doesn’t sleep — it glows. Hundreds of gentle lights shimmer among the redwoods and ferns, turning the night into pure enchantment. Absolutely unforgettable experience. 🌌

We just did the half hour red route after doing the tree walk. Well worth strolling past the giant trees, there is a small rise, but all easy well marked trail: nothing too strenuous.

It was nice to be able to have a walk around a geothermal park that is free to view. Would be nice if there was some better drainage, so there weren't puddles inbthe grass walkways to have to walk through, but as mentioned, it was free!

A wonderful geothermal park with so many thermal springs lying around. We were even able to soak our feet in one of those hot springs with its healing minerals for our feet . Again another must visit sight and incredibly Free . I highly recommend it 👌

Kuirau Park is a clean and relaxing place right in the heart of the city. It’s well maintained, with tidy walkways, green lawns, and a few natural geothermal features that make it unique. There’s also a convenient public toilet nearby, which is very helpful for visitors. It’s a lovely spot to sit down, enjoy lunch, and simply watch the surroundings. The atmosphere feels peaceful, and the park offers plenty of space to rest or take a short walk. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, Kuirau Park is a pleasant place to unwind and enjoy some quiet time in the city.

A fantastic and free way to witness geothermal wonders up close. Don't miss the unique and relaxing free thermal foot baths. Well-maintained paths past bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and a captivating crater lake – perfect for photos! On Saturday mornings, the vibrant Rotary Market adds local flavour. The sulphur smell is present (eeek), but welcome to Rotorua! It’s a must-see, offering a real taste of the area's natural environment without costing a cent.

This place is awesome for being a free park for anyone to wander around. Compared to Waiotapu, it is not be as vibrant and probably in need of some maintenance. Definitely worth a quick visit looking at all the pools or dipping your feet in the foot baths (super busy though)

If you’re looking for a place to see geothermal pools and explore with your family/friends Kuirau Park is the perfect place for you. You can see a vast amount of pools and as you walk through the trails you can unravel the amazing wonders of this park at a cost of $0.

Great place to soak your feet, and the playground is good if you stay around that part. However, there are some parts that aren't safe, and need to be fenced off so people don't fall into hot pools.

the atmosphere was great just walking into the cafe, very warm and inviting. the same can be said about the kind staff :) I had the creamy mushroom dish, with warm toasted ciabatta, and creamy mushrooms in a rich sauce and parmesan. the side of bacon is a nice touch; definitely a lot of rich, hearty flavours. the price is quite high for the meals but understandable in the current economy. definitely a nice place to visit while staying in rotorua with your family!

Another good outlet. Nice atmosphere and friendly service. The quality of the menu and food is great 👍 and I would recommend a visit for a meal. Enjoy 😉

Great food, quick service. It has a cute little store inside as well. I got the eggs benedict which claimed to be the best in the city. It was great but, that's a bold claim as I've had 5 others around Rotoura and they were all eggcellent. We also ordered Avacado Bagel. It was great but difficult to eat, it was just huge. Tangy with a slight kick.

I came here with my family and ordered three servings of the “fish of the day,” but the fish was extremely fishy and almost inedible. We gave feedback the first time and were completely ignored. After asking again, a tall man finally came over, and we even offered him an untouched portion to taste. However, after he took the plate away, we waited for over 20 minutes and no one came back to explain or follow up. Right before we left, we had to approach them again, and the man just coldly said, “The fish isn’t fishy — it’s fresh,” completely dismissing our experience. The whole situation was extremely disappointing — the staff were dismissive, unhelpful, and showed no respect for customer feedback. This was one of the worst dining experiences we’ve ever had. We will never come back and definitely do not recommend this place to anyone.

Just popped down to Rotorua from Auckland as I do every year and Capers is a must for a hearty breakfast ,lunch or dinner. The food is always spectacular and the staff and service make you feel like you are on holiday . Great people and the eggs Benedict with Pork bellies are to die for. It's kinda just worth the trip from Auckland for Brunch !

I only had a coffee today but the selection of cakes, eats etc.was fantastic. Coffee was Delicious. I had a cuppa into. Vibe was lovely!

One of our favourite cafe in the North Island. The vegetarian/vegan options were incredibly flavourful. The staff was super nice. Even though it is a big place, it feels cosy.

First of all, massive thanks to John and Sarah (the owners) for pouring their heart and soul into the food! I can confirm that their chimichangas are on another level, I’d happily drive all the way from Auckland again just to taste that glorious combo of saucy goodness and perfectly cooked dish. And Sarah, please, I beg you, do not take the chimichangas off the menu! The place is a divine food experience. I’ve gone on many rants about food spots (mostly good), but here’s one more reason this one stood out — I’ve never seen my partner finish an entire plate of anything before. Ever. This was a first. I rest my case.

It’s not often you can walk into a restaurant and know the food is going to be exceptional before you even sit down. This is one of those places. Warm, welcoming & cozy atmosphere. Service was above and beyond without missing a beat. Each component of the meal was bursting with flavours that complemented each other beautifully. I will definitely be going back.

Just had a fabulous evening at Saboroso. Superb food, great atmosphere and exemplary service! Thanks so much for making me a zero alcohol, no sugar mojito ❤️

My new favourite latin/caribbean restaurant in the country. Exceptional service from Sarah, delicious food from John. We over ordered entrees and mains and didn't have space for dessert...

Having visited twice before and being convinced it was superb, I returned last night hoping to savour it once more. Unfortunately, it was temporarily closed. Please note it will remain closed until 26th September.

Super delicious food, amazing service, great atmosphere. Sarah and her husband (sorry I don’t his name) are so lovely and accomodating. The drinks were so great, food was the best we’ve had in a while and will definitely be back soon. Pictured is Sangria, passion fruit margarita, Tres Amigos, Tostadas and Chimichangas.

Was wonderful to return to eat at this intimate restaurant. The service from Sarah is so gracious and attentive. Despite all the tables reserved for this evening our drinks and food were served in a timely manner. Margaritas are top notch. Food delicious. We ordered the calamari and escabeche to start. Both excellent. Mains were the prawn stew and chimichanga de Pollo. It is worth booking ahead to eat in this friendly restaurant. We are never disappointed with our meals at Sabroso. Tasty food, served with love.

A good brunch venue with a unique flavour profile that was delicious. We were the first here on a Wednesday morning, and the service was good. We had two flat whites which were very tasty alongside the eggs and bacon on toast, and the French toast with bacon. The chef had forgotten the bacon but this was cooked and corrected within minutes. This had been recommended both in a blog and a visit New Zealand book, and we certainly would recommend a visit. The French toast came with coconut yoghurt and homemade compote which had an Indian spice taste. These were great additions to breakfast!!

Staff were lovely and sweet. Our food was so yummy and the presentation was 10/10. We went back again next day for drinks for our drive back home and would definitely go back again. Lovely people and service, very welcoming.

Such quick service and some of the best South American/ Mediterranean style cuisine I've had EVER. Waitresses are very friendly and host quickly. The food is very reasonably priced and they give Huge portions. NZ Must Do check!

Really nice. Can't believe how cool the bar down the back is, and to have the enclosed areas outside at the back - great to bring kids. Coffee is good as well. Check out my photos- they had a ridiculously giant sausage roll for sale in the cafe...

We ordered entrées for dinner, it was a first time here. The Jalapeños were quite spicy but to my liking. We weren't really fond of the Chilli prawns.The meatballs and baby ribs were nice. The garlic cheese bread was YUMMY! I also enjoyed the Coconut Green Tea, good size pot.

Good food, good service. Took some time for food to be served, but it was still worth it. Ordered the fajitas which was awesome! (Waitress recommended chicken, another said prawns was her favourite, so up to you). I enjoyed the abracadabra steak as well. Lovely ambience and not too expensive, so try it!

Pretty nice food, good service and nice atomasphere. They cater to dietary requirements and have loads of gluten free options. 4/5 stars for the bitter coffee, other than that it was good.

Had a lovely dinner and breakfast here while staying at the hotel. The staff was friendly and helpful. Dinner was really nice with wonderful flavors and everything was very fresh. I had a pumpkin vegetarian dish that tasted great! The continental breakfast was lovely as well with fruit, bread, pastries, cereals and juices and coffee and tea - just right for our check out morning. Overall very nice. I’d visit again.

We had the degustation with wine matching and couldn't have been more disappointed. The food was all average at best other than the mushroom croquette which was the only item with any real flavour. The wine matching seemed to get smaller and smaller with each course until there was barely a taste of Pinot with the main course. The service was poor never clearing any glasses or plates until the next course came out, and as soon as the last course was put on the table they told us the bar and kitchen was now closed at 8:45pm. I would not go back or suggest anyone does until The Regent decides they actually want to try and provide an experience to be proud of.

A group of six attended the regent for a Christmas high tea. We were very disappointed on the service and food. No one came to give us water or offer us drinks for over 20mins and we had to ask if someone could come and offer us drinks, we were never offered another drink. Our food came and looked like it had been made the day before, and someone went to the local bakery chose three square cut them up and the same with the sandwiches. The bread in one side was dry and the other soggy, it was not worth $45 per person . Extremely disappointed and will not be back.

Thanks to a Chuffed Gifts gift, we had High Tea at The Regent and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great service, nice finger food and tea. Very elegant - thanks, Team.

This Restaurant does not deserve any rating. I'm not one to give reviews but I'm forced to write this review so people can save their buck and probably find a better place to eat out in Rotorua. I ordered a Dry Martini which was basically water with a hint of gin/vodka. Entrée and Mains were appalling with no taste or seasoning and lack of effort for the price they charge in the name of a fine dining restaurant. Pics in the review are of my mains - Venison loin with a blob of potato mash and boiled veges with no seasoning at all and My wife's Entrée - Scallops, which was basically a plate full of boiled scallops with Baileys sauce again with no seasoning or flavour. Really disappointed with this place not recommended for sure.

Had a lovely girls early Christmas lunch last Wednesday. A glass of bubbly, dipping breads, choice of 4 mains, dessert, coffee and Xmas pies, all for $50. Always a good experience.

I book a table at the Regent quite frequently as they are guaranteed to serve good wine, excellent cocktails and wonderful food. Whether I am meeting a friend for tapas and a chat, or booking for a special birthday treat, the regent never disappoints. The wine list is excellent and they make great cocktails but the thing I like best about the Regent is the service. Staff are impeccable but are also warm and friendly, everyone is made to feel welcome. The chef prepares food that is thoughtful, exciting and well crafted. My guests always appreciate their evening at the Regent and I look forward to every time I go there.

I love this market great atmosphere. Great stalls. All sorts of food. Yum.

Shifted to kuirau park unknowing since last week we heard! So the winds were blowing cold in the evening so load up on the clothes! Near the playground so it’s good for the kids to burn while we take turns to buy food and eat together. Oven baked pizza ham and pineapple was yummy with chewy crust base nzd23. deep fried prawn, fatty pork + Charsiew noodle soup was fantastic to warm the stomach, plus a nzd10 meaty hotdog to end the day for our family of 2+2. Wanted to soak leg but winds were too cold didn’t prep the kIds enough warm clothes today!

🌃 Rotorua Night Market is an absolute gem! Stepping into this vibrant hub, I was pleasantly surprised by the infusion of Asian culture in a predominantly Western setting. Open only on Thursdays, the atmosphere is electric, with palpable enthusiasm evident in the bustling crowds, long queues, and contagious joy all around. One standout attraction is the automated donut station, a testament to the Western penchant for technological innovation. It's fascinating to witness how technology enhances even the simplest pleasures. Moreover, towards the end of the market, a Chinese stall beckons with irresistible offerings, boasting the most value-packed meals. True to Asian hospitality, despite the bustling queues, the stall owners are incredibly kind and efficient, ensuring prompt service and delicious fare. Their mention of winning accolades for their street-side stall only adds to their credibility. If you find yourself in town, I highly recommend paying a visit to Chinese Siu Mei. It's an experience not to be missed, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the rich tapestry of flavors and cultures that make Rotorua Night Market a must-visit destination.

Been to countless night markets in Auck, this was however more spacious and plenty of room for buyers to mingle and enjoy the evening vibe. Held on a Thursday weekly from 5 to 9pm . Lots of new stuff to try out . Dont miss If your in Roto for a visit.

Great experience. Enjoy the variety of cultures, meals, smells...also live singers. Nice evening walk with music and great food. Night market between 17-21h.

Good range of food trucks! Unfortunately it's mostly food available & only a few non food stalls.. Was looking forward to shopping for local craft or inedible Rotorua souvenirs.. Recommended for the experience though...

We definitely love the wide range of food stalls and other items. Buskers at both ends of the market with appreciative crowds sitting and having a feed while listening. The crowd level was reasonable with a number of stalls with queues. We decided to buy sourdough bread, almond croissants and sweets. The bakery products were top-notch. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the name of the stall business.

Only decent shopping for variety of clothes in Rotorua that I could find - dept store brands / makeup and perfume ect Staff were helpful but not hindering clean store and easy layout.

Lovely town by the Lake. Interesting geothermal sites and Māori village with a heritage craft center. Nice stores for supplies and lovely cafes on Eat Street which was near our hotel. Friendly helpful people with a lot to offer. Bought some All Black gear at the very nice shopping mall and some locally produced items as well. A nice mix. With the Hobbiton Movie Set close by

Mall could do with more regular cleaning, floors and walls looked pretty dirty. Ok range of food places in the foodcourt, although the 2 different options we chose were both very heavy on the sugar.

Shopping complex. Almost all daily needs are available. Though complex closes by 5:30 pm, departmental store, Warehouse, is open till 9 pm. Food court is decent.

A relatively small mall with a very large store that offers everything a family and home might need (I forgot the name of the store). There’s also a food court with many options, but unfortunately, we didn’t find any restaurant offering halal food. Overall, the mall is nice and worth a visit.

The Waterfront in Rotorua is worth visiting stunning views, nice walkways, playground & great Coffee. Please do yourself a favour and jump onto the Lakeland Queen while you are there

There were a lot of different kinds of restaurants in the food court there. We were able to find several offering vegan and vegetarian food at a pretty reasonable price. It's also a good place for shopping with family.

Wonderful church, has the old pipes organ which i personally love. Have a lovely music team, no drums or electric guitars, which is very overwhelming during services.The Vicars give a great service, a very welcoming church. The service can be watched online, which is great when unable to attend. Lovely morning tea after for a natter, meet n greet..😇

I enjoy all saints. Been awhile since I been to church. I love the peace n the fulfillment I had being able to have communion n lighting a candle for my son who pass away to be with the Lord a year ago. God bless you for making me feel welcome in the house of God

Quaint necessity in the center of the city. Brilliant peaceable. Serenity found. Faith, hope and love gained amidst strangers.

Wednesday service is good

Christmas day 8am service..we visited there from kapiti...th st Luke's parish are lovely and friendly...the Christmas service enjoyable and reverend bruce, very kind to talk with my young son & i....lovely church interior too....wil go to lukes again, if in rotorua

God Bless All the wonderful and caring people at St Lukes... They are definitely doing Gods work by showing compassion and love to all those who seek it... To all the awesome volunteers who provide, cook, feed and serve the hungry, pohara and homeless... May God Bless you and your whanau abundantly with Peace, Love, Faith, Hope and ongoing Charity... Thankyou All for your Aroha and Kindness... Amene Fiat...

More than meets my spiritual needs. Good array of services. Been a parishioner for over 37 years so must meet my needs. Friendly church.

My family of three had a wonderful time at the spa. We were warmly welcomed and shown around. The setting is fabulous - right on Lake Rotorua and totally private. There are five pools of varying temperatures plus a freezing cold plunge pool. We tried everything! It was so relaxing and invigorating. The hour long Swedish massages were also terrific. Very friendly staff. Lovely to sit in a super comfy chair after the massage and take in the view sipping herbal teas.

Just exceptional, hubby booked the deluxe romantic package. We had the pre-soak, massage with Evie and Saira (both just incredible at their job, they made us feel so relaxed) followed by the private soak in the private pools. We’ll definitely be revisiting when we return to NZ. We also got a free gift which was lovely. Staff were super nice as well!

An amazing experience. 100% relax. Me and my friend booked an entrance to the deluxe pools that are made out of natural rock and look directly over the lake. an amazing experience, very quiet and we really loved the variety of temperatures without being too complicated or flashy.

Booked a massage and included was soaking in the lake pools which are alkaline and one acid pool (sore muscles). You can’t beat the location of this Spa. It is literally on the lake. The pools are right next to a small garden and the lake is right there. The seagulls are on the garden area. That’s how close you are to the water. They have this location because they have been there since the late 1800s. The pools are surrounded by rocks and feel very natural. The water is varying temperatures. Very, very relaxing. They also have some outside chaises that are heated. I booked a massage with Ni Luh who was fantastic. I told her about my sore spots and she paid attention to them. She is very sweet and very accommodating. At the end of the massage she gave me a coupon for a complementary juice or smoothie and I was taken to a relaxation area where she gave me some tea. Everything is pristine clean. The locker rooms are large and there are blow dryers, and plenty of towels. The only comment I have is that they don’t give you cups for water and you have to drink out of water fountains. I purchased a bottle of water at the café at the front of the spa. It would’ve been nicer if they provided cups for water. Otherwise, had my smoothie at the café and also had a grilled sandwich which I enjoyed. I wasn’t sure how this experience would be but it’s a top notch spa and they definitely go out of their way to make you feel welcome and happy. I would definitely go back there.

Great Spa, But Hygiene Rules Need to Be Enforced I’m a Rotorua local and visit the Polynesian Spa almost every day. It’s a beautiful and relaxing place, but lately I’ve noticed some group tour visitors behaving in ways that make the experience uncomfortable for others. Some people change clothes outside the changing rooms, enter the pools wearing their regular clothes or underwear instead of swimwear, and even spit or blow water out into the pool. It’s unpleasant and unhygienic. After COVID, everyone should understand the importance of cleanliness and public manners. I hope the management will give stronger reminders or warnings about proper spa etiquette to keep this world-famous place clean and enjoyable for all visitors.

Great way to sit and relax and let your Brody recover after traveling or a long week. Enjoyed the different pools and what temperature they had. The staff was super nice and helpful and made sure we were having a good time.

The Polynesian Spa is a must-do! My partner and I loved it so much we came back multiple times during our recent few days in Rotorua. We tried the private lake view pool which was magic, as well as the Pavillion pools and Deluxe Lake Spa pools. The options to soak in incredible thermal mineral pools with acidic and alkaline waters at differing temperatures is incredibly restorative and therapeutic after a long day of walking and sightseeing. It’s also terrific the Spa is open late, so you can take advantage of the facilities well into the evening and soak under the stars. If you can manage to treat yourself to a spa treatment while you’re there it’s well worth it. Spaces and change rooms are well maintained and every care is taken with thoughtful details to make visitors comfortable and provide them with a memorable experience. Everyone we met there across our multiple visits were great but special call outs to team members Rakesh, Angalina, Mariah and Shinal who were all so friendly, helpful and thoughtful. We’ve been to various spa facilities in different parts of the world over the years but we haven’t felt so warmly welcomed to such one of a kind facilities as we did at Polynesian Spa. We’ll definitely be back on our next visit to Rotorua. ☺️

It was a meaningful cultural experience! The performance was truly impressive🫨 I was fully immersed in their storytelling and singing. The food was decent, but the highlight was definitely the amazing cultural show and atmosphere💯 Plus, it was great to meet and connect with people from all around the world.

What an incredible way to learn about the Maori culture. Our host was very entertaining. The experience learning about the dances, songs, weapons and villages was very good, and the perfect amount of time. The food was also incredible. The only thing I wish was that the walk through the village wasn't in the dark. Highly suggest this experience.

Very cool cultural experience. I love learning the history and culture of different people around the world. It's really wonderful how the Maori tribe invites outsiders to experience their traditional way of life. Really loved the Hangi feast. Wish I had saved room for more Pavlova.

This place is packed! There were two bus loads of tourists as we arrived and the entire venue was full. I'm sure that it's good for the business, and it didn't actually feel crowded.. but there sure are a lot of dumb people in this world. Hint: you can't use your flashlight to see glow worms. Still, we enjoyed it overall, and the food was stellar. The educational portion, and entertainment, was excellent as well. I loved all of the faces everyone makes!

We went there on the 2 Nov and the experience was amazing. The lunch buffet was very delicious and the performance were breathetaking. It is better to book in advance, because we saw other group who walk-in didn't get the chance to join as it was fully booked.

Great experience to see and learn about the Mãori culture and traditions.. Enjoyed walking into the forest , well organized, seeing the performance they displayed, the singing, the energy they gave was impressive.. the buffet food was very good and plentiful.. Unfortunately, we could not do the second forest walk in the dark which would have been very interesting but our bus was waiting to us to go..

Such an amazing experience Real cultur, real experience. So friendly staff, they tell a lot about the maori culture and their history. So intresting dance haka show and all the expressions are amazing. At the end they invite the people for a traditionell lunch or dinner with wonderfull traditionell food like roast lamm chicken and potatoes and wonderfull sweet desserts. We definitly would recommand it to anyone near rotorua. Thanks

The mountain biking in Rotorua was an awesome experience! The bikes were excellent—well-maintained and great quality. At first, the staff could’ve been a little more helpful in explaining how to use the bikes, but to their credit, they were very patient later when members of our group came back a full 30 minutes late. The real highlight, though, is the setting. The trails are absolutely gorgeous—this is what true mountain biking should feel like. You’re riding through the forest, up and down, winding around for hours, and it’s exhilarating. There are trails for all levels, but it’s definitely geared toward people who want a real mountain biking adventure. It’s not a casual cruise—you’ll get a workout and a thrill. I spent three hours out there and had a blast. Pictures feature my boyfriend who absolutely loves mountain biking and said this was his favorite biking experience he’s ever had!

Beautiful trails, mountain biking paradise!! Our Guide Marcello was the best, very knowledgeable and attentive to personalizing our ride to our experience level. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants a wonderful experience.

As a foreigner coming in for just a few days I found this place on Google and some other mountain biking review websites. I rented for half a day at Skyline and for half a day at Whakarewarewa Forest. As an avid mountain bike I was little bit concerned about the quality of the bikes for rent. No worry there were outstanding bikes perfectly tuned! Toby and Jeeema were super clutch and provided the best service I could have asked for. Toby gave me some trail recommendations for the forest based on the trails I was riding at Skyline and let me tell you it was on point!

I just spent 4 days shuttling with these guys. The shuttle is good value, I got in plenty of runs and the waits weren’t too long. Shout out to the driver on Wed/Fri last week, he gave us some great trail tips and directions - helped me cover a lot of the network even up to Split Enz and Katoare. Cheers

Hired a private shuttle with the lads on Friday arvo. 1000% worth it!! Marcelo was our guide, he was a legend!! Janine was awesome to deal with getting out booking all sorted. Everyone had an amazing time. Will 100% be back next year. Thanks again team.

Prearranged a 1/2 day private tour for my wife and I who are avid Mt Bikers. Marcelo the best guide! Very knowledgeable of the region, curated a ride based on our skills and intentions of the trip and gave us local spots to eat and enjoy Rotorua afterwards. Bikes were brand new and spotless. Great experience!

Rental bikes (hard tail) were of very good quality. Would have been perfect if the gear shifter was fully tuned. Staff could’ve been a bit more onto it.

I was really impressed with this store. Huge selection, great layout, fair pricing and friendly staff. Looking forward to shopping here next time I'm in town!

Great bargains. Had a great time looking at the stock, and buying a few items. I even dropped a box off too. Parking was a bit of an issue mind you.

What a well laid out store... you wouldn't even think it is an op shop!! I really enjoyed looking around this hospice op shop today!! Easy to walked around and see each item. It was a pity the staff did not greet anyone when they came in and instead talked to each other

Clean and organized shop! Lovely staff and great prices. Separate areas for higher priced, luxury branded items etc. But still some bargain racks for cheap.

This is such a huge store with a great selection of everything. Clothes, shoes, homeware etc. the staff were really nice and helpful.

Absolutely fabulous store. Well laid out and 1st ever op shop to have a steampunk section. Brilliant

Lovely shop with a wide variety of goods

Highly recommend! The team at Cyclezone are absolute legends - super helpful, knowledgeable, and always up for a laugh. I bought my Specialized Enduro here, and it’s hands down the perfect bike for me. Since then, I’ve become a full-blown MTB addict, and now my bank account’s in danger every time I ‘just pop in for a look’ 😅 Thanks for all your awesomeness, team!

Can’t recommend the team at Cyclezone enough! Incredible service and support. Always happy to take the time to help and go above and beyond. Thanks Christian and Vince for making my bright pink bike dreams come true!

Hi Christian and the Cyclezone team, Just a quick note to say a big thanks for the amazing service and support with my new Amflow e-bike. I'm absolutely loving it – the ride is incredible, and the whole experience with you guys was smooth and professional. Really appreciate your help – I'll definitely be recommending Cyclezone to others. Thanks Todd

I’ve been going to this shop for years, and it’s honestly become more than just a place to service my bikes, it’s a place full of friends who genuinely care. Every single time I’ve needed help , from warranty claims to last-minute repairs or tricky tuning, they’ve looked after me without fail. Their workshop quality is top-notch; every job is done properly, never rushed. You can tell they take pride in their work. They’ve also gone above and beyond when I’ve had issues with components or warranty claims always following up, always sorting things out the right way. What makes this shop stand out most is the people. They know their stuff, they ride, and they actually care about you enjoying your bike. Massive thanks to the whole team, you guys have kept me rolling for years and always treated me like part of the crew. Osssssss

So just walk into the shop. Was greeted and asked if like some assistance. I replied I am looking fora pair shoes for a woman. The service assisants reply was we sell shoes but for a woman you need to go down the pub! As a local business owner and having known Bryce and his Dad for over 25 yrs. I have never had such derogatory and sexist mark made by a customer service person. For a business who supports kids and womens cycling is this really the type of person you want serving? You saw me as another bloke , not thinking i would be looking to puchase some womens shoes for my 13 year old daughter. Shameful and disgusting. You need to better!

Everything has a starting point. We proudly can say that Mateo´s passion and victories for Track Bicycle started with Bryce Shapley, at Cyclezone Rotorua during a summer vacations march 2018. First time visiting NZ from Argentina looking for Mateo´s first track bicycle. Bryce not only made possible to buy the Avanti bike but also inspired and awarness Mateo and us, regarding the track and the Velodrome at Cambridge. 2 years after that, we decided to come back to NZ and spend time at Cambridge to know the velodrome. We not only discover the Velodrome, but we found a community passionated and willing to help Mateo on his cycling adventure. Cambridge High School and all the community invited Mateo to share time and experience the kiwi´s lifestyle. After Covid-19 that dream come true. Mateo today is a young track and road athlete who compites worldwide. ¿What´s the difference between a Bike Store, and Cyclezone Rotorua? Bryce Shapley. We hare so grateful that we decide to make this post, to share the world the generosity of Bryce and the new zealand people.

Excellent service. Highly recommend

Great and fun market! But do come before 12pm as stalls have started keeping around 12.10pm. Market closes at 1pm not 1.30pm

Went to Kuirau Market this morning — such a cool wee market! Awesome range of kai stalls and Māori stalls. Loved seeing the fried bread, poi, ponchos and rongoā creams. Heaps of parking too. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Rotorua!

Fine weather, lovely and warm out of the wind. Great atmosphere Lots of food trucks, Rangitaiki sausage meal really good Interesting other stalls Visited Book Fair as well Really good morning

Good selection of food trucks, stalls and range of produce. Worth a visit on a Saturday morning. We had some nice crepes on our visit today - sweet & savoury.

Went last week not many food stalls not many food options and not really that great either was disappointing I'm use to south Auckland markets so Maori food quality here is low to medium lil bit pricey for what u get

There are many food vans, a good variety, some relaxing live music, and a few arts, crafts, honey, and natural skin care products to buy.

A great market. Yummy food and good prices.

We went for the hāngī lunch buffet for $60pp and it was well worth it. The Hāngī selection was super tasty, meats not overcooked, and native ingredients like kawakawa and horopito were incorporated. Their selection of non-hāngī food was also good and tasty, eg buttermilk fried chicken, prawns. I commend their creativity when it came to the green ice cream, which was kawakawa flavoured. The desserts were nothing special though. Service was prompt and friendly. Views of the geyser were great.

The lunch buffet is not bad, although everything is lukewarm at best, but it's definitely not worth $60. Loved the ham, though. And the view from my table, it's rare that I get one of the best rather than one of the worst table as a single traveler but here the tables with a view are for 1-3 people and the larger tables are further back. Well, it helped that not much was going on today, so plenty of tables were empty.

Excellent buffet. Probably the best buffet in the area. Great views.

Left me thoroughly impressed, and I cannot recommend it enough. The value for money is exceptional, offering a delightful array of cuisines that cater to diverse tastes. Remarkable reception experience. No unnecessary hassle or tedious checks; a smooth entry. This streamlined approach set a positive tone for the entire visit, emphasizing efficiency without compromising on hospitality. The staff at Pataka Kai deserve special commendation for their incredible friendliness and attentiveness. Empty plates didn't linger for a moment; they were promptly cleared, reflecting a commitment to maintaining a clean and inviting dining environment. The buffet lunch itself was a culinary delight, boasting a range of dishes that pleased every palate. The value for money was evident in the diverse selection and quality of the offerings. I wholeheartedly recommend Pataka Kai to anyone seeking a delightful and seamless culinary journey.

Kia ora, I want to say I have been visiting many restaurants in NZ, This is the best buffet in Aotearoa NZ. I try most things. Food is extremely high quality, tasty, and cooked prefectly. Especially, Hangi and raw fish is wonderful tastes, like home cooked as same as aunty cook at Marae. Service is great and staff are so nice and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy and clean. However, I don't like to sit in a communal table. Prefer more room but Ka pai, that's a personal preference. Overall, Highly recommend. Well done, Chefs.

Stopped after our Te Puia tour for some drinks and pananis which were excellent and very fresh. Lots of seating in the cafe area or there is the main restaurant too. A nice place.

Best lunch we have had during our trip so far, great buffet selection of hāngi meats, seafood, salads and desserts. The prawns were so fresh! We had an incredible view overlooking the geyser. The staff were all absolutely fantastic too, very kind and professional. Well worth the price. Would highly recommend!

Great selection of good quality books kids to adult. Friendly staff. Can trade you old books for instore credits.

Nice second hand book store with a friendly owner who is nearly always at the front counter. Good selection including an area with books for children. Also has graphic novels and comic books.

lots of interesting old books that are very reasonably priced! stop by if you’re here and interested in antiques

Amazing amount of books, very easy to navigate what you want. Shop keeper was very knowledgeable as well.

If you a book addict like me this is the place to go. New Zealand is very expensive for new books,so this makes a great option. Was politely greeted when I arrived too. Thank you from the UK

Great books, helpful and friendly staff.

Friendly and welcoming. Good collection of books. Definitely worth a browse. I recommend to have the shop on your list of things to do if you visiting Rotorua.

Absolute legends. Greatest service and knowledge with positive and friendly service. Awesome shop for BMX, Mountain Bike and all other cycling needs. No problem too big!!

The team at Ride Rotorua Mountain Bike Shop are amazing! The staff are super friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Any bike question you’ve got, they’ll have the answer. Want a custom build? No worries these guys have all the know-how to create an epic bike perfectly tailored to you. Need a part but don’t even know what it’s called? They’ll figure it out, source it, and have it in the post before you know it. Whether you’re upgrading, maintaining, or tricking out your ride, Ride Rotorua is the place to go. I have never experienced such amazing customer service!

Really impressed with Ride Rotorua. Callum did an awesome job servicing my bike and took the time to explain the work he'd done and answer all my questions, all for a reasonable price. Bike is running super smooth now. Highly recommend.

I bought a Fuel Exe from here a while back. It had a really weird intermittent issue, that I 100% don't think was their fault. These guys went above and beyond to try and sus it out, and eventually managed to get it sorted. The bikes running mint now and I love it. Great service and I would highly recommend. Its cool that they are all passionate mtbers too!

What a pleasure. I rented a bike on a very busy day. Paul was great to work with - thougtful, organised and easy. The bike was - well I wanted to buy it. Support this business its a cracker. Of course the forest was a lot of fun too. Thanks

My bike was well overdue a service and Ride Rotorua did an amazing job! Nicola's customer service was outstanding, gave me few options for the tyres and tailored the advice to my individual rising.

Awesome bike. All eager to sell you incredibly expensive bikes but once you've bought don't expect them to be too eager anymore. They didn't even try to put it under warranty when it needed fixing, even though it was, even made us pay for the part that needed replacing although it should've never broken. Very, very disappointing

Love big op shop.... lots of books if your a book worm! I also saw some very pretty little trinkets and treasures as well. Definitely worth a pop in and who knows what you may find!

Great range of stuff, wish the staff didn't follow me around the shop though

Some very nice and unique clothing and footwear in this store. Helpful and friendly staff also.

Great op shop. One of the larger ones. Lots of variety.

Wouldn't bother even going to look at whata available after the courtesy (or lack of), we got when donating stuff. Basically told what we had was rubbish and a cynical comment Rotorua needs to be more responsible for dumping its rubbish rather than dumping it at the Red Cross. She hadn't even looked in our bags and boxes, some the the stuff never been worn nor had tags removed! A very unpleasant and cynical experience. Must be change of manage

The place has been marvelously rearranged...everything is beautifully displayed however although lots of things were reasonably priced the queen bed was bit pricey...but that's just me. Well done staff

Great range of good quality goods

Wow what a fantastic store!!! I was extremely impressed with the spectacular layout of your incredible items... I had such a joy exploring your store and taking photos of the amazing quirky items. Can't wait to come back and see what incredible stock you get in... Customer service was amazing as well... I could hear the passion in your voice for the store when you dealt with customers

Great people. Very friendly and helpful. The shop is a treasure trove of wonderful things.

Really cool place, lots of different items, and very kind staff. Would recommend going there to buy their cool items or sell old furniture.

Hello again team! Can always guarantee, I will leave happily satisfied with my purchase. There is always a piece of furniture that fills the void. Perfect selections of quality furnishings. Your friendly service is always welcoming. Lorraine Clarke

Amazing customer service and quality second hand goods I brought a washing machine and large rug very well priced beds there are also super comfortable my stuff was delivered the next day

Beautiful furniture just really pricey but that's a very good high end shop. Worth the price though.

This is the best 2nd hand shop, they have a huge selection of decent stuff, I got a shelving unit I'd actually given up on ever finding, at a bargain price. The chap who runs it is super helpful, so is Sarah his wife. I'll be sure to call in here every time I visit Rotorua. Thanks guys.

Awesome shop and they always have free stuff outside the 🚪

Always a pleasure to visit this well organised shop with its friendly staff. Almost always come away with some treasure, usually from their well stocked library. Happy Hols.

Beautiful op shop. Love buying my blouses here. Nice collection of books and as always polite staff greet you the moment you open the door.

It might be small but has lots of good clothing and other goodies. Well priced and friendly staff to help you with that hidden gem. Worth a look.

AWESOME second hand store everything AND anything YOU want thankyou for the nice people in there GOD BLESS his servants

Great charity shop. Goods are really cheap. Staff friendly. They do good work.

Decent but quite small, very cheap though!

Well laid out store... signs advising different areas seems to be a bit confused, very nice items though. Store does seem to be on the pricier side but it's it's great cause and lovely pieces

Ive had to come back and edit my original 5star review. I used to love this place it had lots availiable at great prices but sadly this is no longer the case. Kmart and the warehouse have better clothes for cheaper. Thier furniture is exspensive i old stained matress selling for $150.00 that looked like the patterns from the 70's/80's i couldent believe it. The games were missing pieces but when i asked they said they had checked it and it was complete. It was not. Went to donate some great condition drawers, rolled perfectly other than afew marks on the top there was nothing wrong with it but she said sorry thats not good enough for us we only take near new furniture, apparently it wouldent sell l. i thought im sorry what?! This is a 2nd hand shop right? I understand you dont want broken stuff but near new???? I took it to another 2nd hand shop they gladly took it when i went to donate more stuff to the other shop the next day they were happy to tell me it sold within minutes of being put on the shop floor. The owner i think it is is very loud, yelled across the shop to us (my kid was looking the dress up clothes on display and asking about how the piupiu was made so i was explaining) and next thing i knew she was yelling and saying "THATS NOT FOR SALE! SORRY EXSCUSE ME THAT IS NOT FOR SAAAALE!" While she was gaving a convo with a customer everyone looked at us. i said we didnt want to buy it. I walked out because that was embarrassing. Anyway its just not the same over priced and not great thing.

Use to be my ABSOLUTE favourite 2nd hand store. Sadly not anymore. Very Overpriced. 2nd hand children’s clothing and shoes are more expensive than brand new clothing from Kmart and The Warehouse. Old furniture they want top dollar for. Old homewares overpriced too. They need to understand that brand new stuff is now offered very cheap these days. People are not silly or unaware neither - we know what the going prices are and the prices at this shop sadly indicate greed has got the better of someone. Makes you wonder if money is being skimmed off the top?

Expensive. Seen an old out of date ugly couch for $500. Walked right out. If it's truly for a cause then fair enough. But it's definitely not a secondhand shop most people are looking for.

whats happened...we use to love shopping here....you must have employed another new manager...because your prices are just too expensive...i am best to shop at kmart at least their clothing are brand new...i was interested in a skivvy and the price said $8-00 .... i understand you are a charity...you are given free of charge all that you have in your shops...but c'mon reasonable prices of what you have in stock would be a great help to your community...

There is a good variety of goods and clothes. Prices are very reasonable. Friendly service.

Love this place. Love the people. Love shopping here 100% just love this place I would give them 100 stars if there were 100 star

We brought the combo ticket for the Maori Performance and the entrance ticket... the goo thing is that there is guided tour every one hour... so is considered quiet ok, but the guided tour is too short (it's like 45mins) and probably bring u to the Geothermal and Back... I would recommend skip the tour first and walk on your own for one round... after the round then join back to the tour...

It's a nice place to walk and watch the geysers, but is it really worth 52 nzd a person? I doubt that.

The 'Yellowstone' of the Southern Hemisphere. Bubbling mud, spitting geysers, puffing smoke. Cultural village and a large cafe round up the experience.

Unless you are part of a tour or go for the evening experience there is not much to look at other than the geyser. Having said that it was a very wet day so it did seem very empty. They geyser was awesome and was actually quite interesting to see as the rain made it even more misty. The souvenir store is also fairly well priced and has a lot on offer. Nice way to spend the afternoon.

Such a beautiful place. Rotorua is so peaceful and Te Puia is serene and calm. Simply must visit.

Geyser and Maori houses

Absolutely overpriced. Not worth it. Damn this is robery

Great exhibit currently running, "Man's Best Friend" for Year of the Dog... 10% of sales goes to the SPCA.

Helium Gallery is Rotorua's only independent gallery and is worth viewing for it's art, books, and gifts.

fresh inspiring space full of treasures from near and far and home to lovely staff and a wonderful event calendar of exhibitions

Cool place in the heart of Rotorua! Lots of variety, great pieces from small to large

Beautiful gallery in a fantastic location, great for Rotorua!

Superb gallery, full of beautiful and unusual art.

A wonderful eclectic mix of affordable and inspirational work.

This place is very nice to shop or to look around with good prices and great customer service, I rate them a 5 Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grate,helpful,friendly staff. Huge variety of goods. Will visit again...

Very reasonable prices. Something for everyone and volunteers do good work.

Very friendly staff, good bargains to be had

Lovely shop and ladies, great gear

Got heaps of jars for my jam.thank you ladies

Fantastic library and lovely staff!

Cool little market. Be even better once it became more popular. Delicious Boba shop & much more. Great starting spot for small local business owners. Everyone should go check it out 😊

Sorry, I personally haven't visited, but shopped near by... next time I'm in Rotorua, I will endeavor to visit

KAI, Here gets COLD fast But really BOOSTES the KID's ENERGY RATE!.

Very disappointed. Nothing to see except island food. Won't be going back.

Very interesting to browse

Great to look at

Great

Fantastic customer service. The item we wanted was out of stock so a similar item was suggested which was more expensive but was kindly offered at the same price as the out of stock item. The gift was personally delivered to my grandaughter in Edgecomb in time for her birthday as the courier delivery would have been later in the week. In these tough times at the moment, this great service made all the difference. By the way the the gift (music box and umbrella was a real hit - she absolutely loves them

Wonderful experience with the shop owner. She went above and beyond to make sure my son got his order in time for Xmas!! Quality toys, great prices and wonderful staff.

Went in here today and wasn't the right style that my child would like and mentioned thanks but not the right look. The attitude change was so quick of the staff member. The store has quality items but attitude is not the same quality.

Absolutely ECSTATIC with our new Olli Ella! Beautifully packaged, helpful communications, and speedy delivery! I will be shopping here again soon.

Beautiful store, the most gorgeous kids clothing with lovely, helpful staff. Thankyou for looking after us 🥰

Great selection of quality toys and stuff along with fantastic service

Temporarily closed

Closed and fenced off

Had one of the best memorable experience in the 3D Art world. Spent nearly 2 hours doing photography in a dreamy world. The staff at reception was so welcoming and guided well with an intro video. The visuals felt real in pictures. Recommended to fully charge phone as you can’t miss any clicks. A family friendly indoor environment feels💕

Paintings wherever you turn ❤️ This place was buzzing me out. We all loved it. Only got abit hoha when the kids couldnt follow simple posing instructions🤦‍♀️ lol

The best 2 hours that i spent without even realizing the time. It was so much fun to take pictures with the 3D art. I have never taken so many pictures in my whole life. Easy parking Access to washrooms Very welcoming staff Loved every bit of it. Highly recommended. Ps. Take a fully charged phone for taking pics or camera.

Such a MUST DO when you visit Rotorua. We spent over an hour exploring all the art. Our family 4 had so much fun with all the images taking lots of photos. The lady at the front counter was very kind and friendly 10/10 for service 10/10 for a great activity to do with kids or friends. Perfect for all ages.

An amazing 3D trick gallery for children and adults who appreciate this kind of art. Important to take your time with the photos to make the sure you get the most. I had a very enthusiastic 6year old so didn’t really get to check my photos

This is one of the most unusual but refreshing places in Rotorua. We visited this after online recommendations and to utilise time when it was raining heavily outside. We were not disappointed at all. The wait time to enter was about 10 mins or so, but after that we ended up spending an hour and a half clicking pictures and giggling on the interesting artefacts on display. The ticket prices are genuine and completely worth it. The location is easily accessible by road and very close to Skyline luge. Ample parking is available on site. Nearby there is an animal farm where one can see ostriches running around, which is an interesting experience for kids. Highly recommended for families and every age.

Well set out easy to get around was a bit noisy with a group of school children were coming behind us but really enjoyed it