Tikitere

Last updated

Tikitere
Rural locality
Hells Gate NZ7 3549.jpg
Hot pools in 2019
Tikitere
Coordinates: 38°03′54″S176°21′40″E / 38.065°S 176.361°E / -38.065; 176.361
CountryNew Zealand
Region Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority Rotorua Lakes District
WardTe Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward
CommunityPartly in Rotorua Lakes Community
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authority Rotorua Lakes Council
  Regional council Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
[1]
  Total4.24 km2 (1.64 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023) [2]
  Total770
  Density180/km2 (470/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
3074

Tikitere, also known as "Hell's Gate", is a suburb in Rotorua's most active geothermal area [3] on State Highway 30, between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It includes many geothermal features such as steaming lakes, mudpools, fumaroles, a mud volcano and the Kakahi Falls, the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere. [4]

Contents

The area is operated under the name "Hell’s Gate", and offers self-guided and guided tours of the geothermal park, information about its history and Māori culture, and a mud spa. It is part of the wider Tikitere-Ruahine geothermal field. [5]

History and culture

The thermal area was formed approximately 10,000 years ago in a series of geothermal eruptions that drained an ancient lake and formed the Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua. The absence of the pressure of the water on top of the rock caused it to create faults from which steam and gases can escape. At less than 2 km below ground, the heat source of this thermal area is shallower than most other thermal areas in the region.

The local Māori tribe Ngāti Rangiteaorere has lived in this area for more than 700 years and remain the owner of this geothermal attraction. [6] [7] Tikitere, the Māori name for the area is derived from the tragic action of a Māori princess, Hurutini, the young wife of an abusive and shameful chief, who threw herself into the boiling hot pool that bears her name today. Upon finding her daughter's body floating in the hot pool, Hurutini's mother cried out a sad lament "Aue teri nei tiki" ("here lies my precious one"), which was shortened to Tikitere and became the name from the thermal reserve and the surrounding area.

"Hells Gate", its most commonly known name, was used following the visit to the geothermal reserve by noted Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw in 1934 who likened the area to the comments that were made by his theologian colleagues back in England who were explaining to him that the result of the error of his ways as a practising atheist would result in his "going to hell". [8] What he saw at Tikitere moved him to believe that this would be the gateway to hell. His visit to Tikitere was well received by the local Māori owners of the land and as an honour to note the occasion of his visit, the owners decided that this would be the English name for the geothermal area. A destination spa operated at this site as early as 1871, using sulphurous waters from one of the hot pools and from Kakahi Falls.

Marae

The Tikitere urban area includes Waiōhewa Marae and Rangiwhakaekeau meeting house, [9] belonging to Ngāti Rangiteaorere. [10]

Demographics

Tikitere is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 4.24 km2 (1.64 sq mi) [1] and had an estimated population of 770 as of June 2023, [2] with a population density of 182 people per km2. Tikitere is part of the larger Waiohewa statistical area.

Historical population for Tikitere
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006600    
2013675+1.70%
2018702+0.79%
Source: [11]
"The Inferno" at Tikitere, 1913 Picturesque New Zealand - The Inferno, Tikitere.jpg
"The Inferno" at Tikitere, 1913
Hells gate at Tikitere, 2019 Hells Gate NZ7 3540.jpg
Hells gate at Tikitere, 2019

Tikitere had a population of 702 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 27 people (4.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 102 people (17.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 240 households, comprising 354 males and 351 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female, with 150 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 99 (14.1%) aged 15 to 29, 342 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 114 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 80.8% European/Pākehā, 24.8% Māori, 2.6% Pacific peoples, 6.0% Asian, and 3.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 36.8% were Christian, 1.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 147 (26.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 87 (15.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 159 people (28.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 315 (57.1%) people were employed full-time, 69 (12.5%) were part-time, and 9 (1.6%) were unemployed. [11]

Waiohewa statistical area

Waiohewa covers 65.51 km2 (25.29 sq mi) [1] and had an estimated population of 1,140 as of June 2023, [12] with a population density of 17 people per km2.

Historical population for Waiohewa
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006891    
2013963+1.12%
20181,020+1.16%
Source: [13]

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a smaller boundary, covering 63.45 km2 (24.50 sq mi). [1] Using that boundary, Waiohewa had a population of 1,020 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 57 people (5.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 129 people (14.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 348 households, comprising 522 males and 498 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.05 males per female. The median age was 44.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 210 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 156 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 495 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 156 (15.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 79.4% European/Pākehā, 30.0% Māori, 2.4% Pacific peoples, 4.4% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 15.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.5% had no religion, 37.1% were Christian, 2.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 192 (23.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 123 (15.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 204 people (25.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 450 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 108 (13.3%) were part-time, and 18 (2.2%) were unemployed. [13]

Attractions

Kakahi Falls Kakahi Falls in Hell's Gate thermal area.jpg
Kakahi Falls

The features of the 50 acres (20 ha) geothermal park can be explored via two easy-walking, relatively flat loop walks, taking 45 to 60 minutes in total.

The lower area is encircled by a loop walk with bridges and viewing platforms, and contains about a dozen hot pools such as "Sodom and Gomorrah" and "Devil's Bath", with depths of 15 to 25 metres. The water in the "Inferno Pools" and "Sodom and Gomorrah" reaches more than 100 °C (212 °F) due to minerals in the water elevating its boiling point. Sodom and Gomorrah, named so by Shaw, has on occasion erupted 2 metres out of its pool. Most of the other pools have temperatures of 60 to 70 °C (140 to 158 °F). The water from the Huritini hot spring is used in Hells Gate's sulphur spas. The pH level of the water in the pools is typically 3.5 to 5, with the more acidic "Ink Pots" having a pH level of 2, and the "Sulphur Bath" reaching pH 1. Several other geothermal features in this area also bear names given by Shaw.

Separating the lower and upper area is a short easy-walking bush walk along the stream flowing over the Kakahi Falls. This 4 metres tall cascade is the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere and has a water temperature of around 40 °C (104 °F). The waterfall has always been a special place for local Māori, with warriors using it to cleanse themselves after battles, the sulphur in the water disinfecting wounds. The waterfall's full name is "O Te Mimi O Te Kakahi", named after a chief and noted warrior of Ngāti Rangiteaorere. [7] The stream itself is the overflow from the upper geothermal area.

View across hot pools in upper area View across the hot lakes in Hell's Gate thermal area.jpg
View across hot pools in upper area

A larger loop walk takes in the upper geothermal area, which contains expansive hot pools of varying activity as well as steaming fumaroles. Sulphur crystals can be observed in some parts of this area, as well as several mud cauldrons with boiling black mud. This area also contains a large mud volcano, which is currently around 2 metres tall. Mud typically bubbles violently in the crater of the volcano, but the mud volcano hardens roughly every 6 weeks. A mud eruption follows pressure build-up over 2-3 days, splattering mud over 2 metres around the volcano.

The Steaming Cliffs pool has the highest temperature of all pools in this geothermal area at 122 °C (252 °F) at the surface. Other pools in the upper area range from around 40 to 90 °C (104 to 194 °F) and were traditionally used for cooking, and medicinal purposes such as treating skin diseases and arthritis. The grey mud and water from one of the pools is used in Hells Gate's mud spa.

Hells Gate's mud spa, adjacent to the entrance, offers mud footpools and several mud baths, and a list of mud packages, therapies and massages. Mud-based beauty products available at the on-site shop. Hells Gate also offers educational programmes for schools. [7]

Rotorua's 3D Maze has been an icon of Tikitere for over 40 years. After challenges caused by Covid-19 in 2021, the maze reopened as Wonderworld 3D Maze Rotorua in December 2022. [14]

Education

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata is a co-educational state Kura Kaupapa Māori for Year 1 to 13 students, [15] with a roll of 226 as of February 2024. [16]

Scientific study

Geology

The Tikitere-Ruahine geothermal field [5] is part of the Rotorua Volcanic Centre and has a surface area of 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) characterised by acid springs, pools and lakelets, fumaroles, hydrothermal explosion craters, hot barren and altered ground and mudpools. [17] Its heat flow is 120 MW (160,000 hp). [17] The hydrothermal products are a result of acid sulfate condensate after water interaction with rhyolitic, tuff-rich, volcanic substrate which leaves silica residue rather than the similar appearing silica sinters, that precipitate from hot, near-neutral, alkali chloride water in most other geothermal areas. [18] In this area the Rotorua Caldera rim is ill defined as the geothermal area is located on the tectonically subsiding Tikitere Graben. [19]

Biology

The acid waters are known to harbour extremophile bacteria and distinct strains of the OP10 phylogenetic candidate bacterial division have been parially characterised from Tikitere. [20] [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taupō</span> Town in the North Island of New Zealand

Taupō, sometimes written Taupo, is a town located in the central North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the edge of Lake Taupō, which is the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand. Taupō was constituted as a borough in 1953. It has been the seat of Taupō District Council since the council was formed in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotorua</span> City in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Rotorua is a city in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is sited on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. It has an estimated resident population of 58,900, making it the country's 13th largest urban area, and the Bay of Plenty's second-largest urban area behind Tauranga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawerau</span> Town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Kawerau is a town in the Bay of Plenty Region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated 100 km south-east of Tauranga and 58 km east of Rotorua. It is the seat of the Kawerau District Council, and the only town in Kawerau District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Rotorua</span> Lake in the North Island of New Zealand

Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand by surface area, and covers 79.8 km2. With a mean depth of only 10 metres it is considerably smaller than nearby Lake Tarawera in terms of volume of water. It is located within the Rotorua Caldera in the Bay of Plenty Region.

Ngongotahā is a small settlement on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the Rotorua central business district, and is considered as a suburb of Rotorua. It is part of the Rotorua functional urban area as defined by Statistics New Zealand. Ngongotahā has a population of 5,230 as of June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whakarewarewa</span> Suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand

Whakarewarewa is a Rotorua semi-rural geothermal area in the Taupō Volcanic Zone of New Zealand. This was the site of the Māori fortress of Te Puia, first occupied around 1325, and known as an impenetrable stronghold never taken in battle. Māori have lived here ever since, taking full advantage of the geothermal activity in the valley for heating and cooking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parakai</span> Place in Auckland Region, New Zealand

Parakai is a town in the North Island of New Zealand, sited 43 kilometres northwest of Auckland, close to the southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour. Helensville is about 3 km (1.9 mi) to the south-east, and Waioneke is 22 km (14 mi) to the north-west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Arawa</span> Confederation of Māori iwi and hapū (tribes and sub-tribes)

Te Arawa is a confederation of Māori iwi and hapū of New Zealand who trace their ancestry to the Arawa migration canoe (waka). The tribes are based in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty areas and have a population of around 60,117 according to the 2018 census making it the 6th biggest iwi in New Zealand. The Te Arawa iwi also comprises 56 hapū (sub-tribes) and 31 marae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiotapu</span> Geothermal area and attraction in New Zealand

Waiotapu is an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is 27 kilometres south of Rotorua. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools. These can mostly be viewed through access by foot, and in addition to a paid and curated experience, naturally forming hot springs appear around the area. The geothermal area covers 18 square kilometres. Prior to European occupation the area was the homeland of the Ngati Whaoa tribe who descended from those on the Arawa waka (canoe).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngawha Springs</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Ngawha Springs is a small settlement and hot water springs approximately five kilometres east of the town of Kaikohe in Northland, New Zealand. Ngāwhā means "boiling spring".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reporoa</span> Rural settlement in Waikato Region, New Zealand

Reporoa is a rural community in Rotorua Lakes within the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Rotoiti (Bay of Plenty)</span> Lake in the North Island of New Zealand

Lake Rotoiti is a lake in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. It is the northwesternmost in a chain of lakes formed within the Okataina Caldera. The lake is close to the northern shore of its more famous neighbour, Lake Rotorua, and is connected to it via the Ohau Channel. It drains to the Kaituna River, which flows into the Bay of Plenty near Maketu.

Located in a geologically active region, New Zealand has numerous geothermal features, including volcanoes, hot springs, geysers and volcanic lakes. Many of these features cluster together geographically, notably throughout the central North Island's Taupō Volcanic Zone. These areas attract scientific interest and tourism; power generators, industry and civil engineering also utilise them.

The region around the city of Rotorua, in New Zealand's North Island, contains several lakes which have a total area of about 250 square kilometres. The term Rotorua lakes is ambiguous as it has been used historically for a New Zealand administrative area. From biggest to smallest, these are Lake Rotorua, Lake Tarawera, Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotomā, Lake Okataina, Lake Rotoehu, Lake Rotomahana, Lake Rerewhakaaitu, Lake Rotokākahi, Lake Okareka and Lake Tikitapu. There are also smaller lakes including: Lake Okaro, Lake Rotokawa, Lake Rotokawau and Lake Rotongata. Most of the lakes have formed due to volcanic activity and some have current geothermal activity. The region is part of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, the world's most active area of explosive silicic volcanic activity in geologically recent time.

Pyes Pa is a suburb of Tauranga, New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotoiti, Bay of Plenty</span> Settlement in Rotorua Lakes District, New Zealand

Rotoiti is a settlement on the shore of Lake Rotoiti, in Rotorua Lakes within the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mourea</span> Rural settlement in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand

Mourea is a settlement in Rotorua Lakes within the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

Ngapuna is a suburb in eastern Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynmore</span> Suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand

Lynmore is a suburb of Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Rotokawau (Bay of Plenty)</span> Lake in the North Island of New Zealand

Lake Rotokawau is a small volcanic lake 4.1 km (2.5 mi) east of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. The name is also used for lakes in the Kaipara District, Chatham Islands, on Aupouri Peninsula and near Lake Waikare in Waikato. Access is via Lake Rotokawau Road, from SH30 at Tikitere. The lake is owned and managed by Ngāti Rangiteaorere.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. "Tikitere - Volcanic Plateau places". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. "Top 5 Geothermal Wonders in Taupo & Rotorua". New Zealand Tourism. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  5. 1 2 Scott, Brad; Scholes, Paul (2021). "Ngā pūnaha ngāwhā o Te Moana-ā-Toitehuatahi Bay of Plenty Geothermal Systems The Science Story". GNS Science, Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  6. "Ngāti Rangiteaorere Deed of Settlement summary". 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Hell's Gate". Hells Gate. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  8. "Lake Rotorua - Volcanic Plateau Places". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  9. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  10. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  11. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7014886–7014887 and 7014889–7014891.
  12. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiohewa (200400). 2018 Census place summary: Waiohewa
  14. "Amazeing: Rotorua icon to reopen in December". NZ Herald. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  15. "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  16. "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  17. 1 2 Cody, Ashley D. (2007). "Geodiversity of geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone" (PDF).
  18. Cook, Kristen L.; Rogers, K.A.; Browne, P.R.L.; Campbell, Kathleen A. (2001). "Silica from steam condensate alteration at Tikitere, New Zealand" (PDF). 26th Stanford Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering.
  19. Manville, V.; Hodgson, K. A.; Nairn, I. A. (2007). "A review of break‐out floods from volcanogenic lakes in New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 50 (2): 131–150. doi: 10.1080/00288300709509826 . S2CID   129792354.
  20. Stott, Matthew B.; a Crowe, Michelle; Mountain, Bruce W.; Smirnova, Angela V.; Hou, Shaobin; Alam, Maqsudul; Dunfield, Peter F. (2008). "Isolation of novel bacteria, including a candidate division, from geothermal soils in New Zealand". Environmental Microbiology. 10 (8): 2030–41. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01621.x. PMID   18422642.
  21. Lee, Chien-Yu Kevin (2010). The Physiological and Ecological Characterisation of the First Cultivated Species of the Candidate Division OP10 (PDF) (Thesis).