This thermal reserve is 3km south of the city centre, and features more than 500 springs. The most famous is Pohutu (‘Big Splash’ or ‘Explosion’), a geyser which erupts up to 20 times a day, spurting hot water up to 30m skyward. You’ll know when it’s about to blow because the adjacent Prince of Wales’ Feathers geyser will start up shortly before. Tours (90 minutes) depart hourly from 9am, and daytime 45-minute cultural performances start at 10.15am, 12.15pm and 3.15pm.
Nightly three-hour Te Po indigenous concerts and hangi feasts start at 6pm (following on from a 4.30pm tour in a combo package).
Also here is the National Carving School and the National Weaving School , where you can discover the work and methods of traditional Māori woodcarvers and weavers, plus a carved meeting house, a cafe, galleries, a kiwi reserve and a gift shop.
