Rotorua – Feel the Spirit
Settlement Support Coordinator
Heather McAllister
Economic Projects - Rotorua District Council
Level 3, 1136 Arawa St, Rotorua
phone: 07 350 0533
email:heather.mcallister@rdc.govt.nz
Facebook: Settlement Support Rotorua
Visit the Rotorua Settlement Support website
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Rotorua sits on the edge of Lake Rotorua, in the heart of the North Island’s volcanic zone – the Central Plateau. Geothermal activity encouraged early Maori settlement, and today travellers from around the world enjoy the thermal springs, mud pools, lakes, rivers, and the strong Maori culture.
Forestry is a primary employer. The nearby Kaingaroa Forest is the largest hand planted forest on Earth. The city’s central location also serves as a base for activities like fresh water boating, wet and dry-fly trout fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, hunting and kayaking - and with a resident double world mountain biking champion (2009) and 100 km of forest biking track within 5 minutes of the city, it is surely also the country’s mountain bike capital.
Rotorua was an early highlight for many tourists because of it's geothermal activity. While most parts of New Zealand have important Maori history, this region has a sense of being the visible centre of Maori culture - at least to the short term visitor.
This to some degree recognises the enterprise with which the local iwi have developed their resources and facilities. Several of the region’s main tourist attractions are truly world class. Coupled with the natural environment, both the city of Rotorua and the surrounding district are an essential part of any tourist itinerary.
As a place to live the region has several unique benefits. Some are obvious, such as the lakes and heritage, but others are less obvious – such as the central location. Rotorua is only an hour or two’s drive from many of the North Island’s best beaches, ski-fields, or shopping. No matter what you want, from Rotorua it is rarely too far away.
This combination of unique truly ‘New Zealand’ culture with access to whatever might otherwise be needed or desired makes Rotorua attractive not just to tourists, but to many looking for a great place to call home.
The government also provides support for newcomers to create their own local networks.
To find out more, visit the Rotorua Newcomers Network.
The Newcomers Network is supported by Settling In, an initiative of Family and Community Services (Ministry of Social Development).
