We have a hot date with some native kiwis and so return to Rotorua. On New Year’s Eve, we visit the National Kiwi Hatchery. On site, there are three types of kiwi: human, fruit & national bird. At the hatchery, important work to increase the kiwi population is being carried out and as a visitor, you get to see some of the work up close. If you are lucky, you may even see one or two, or three as we did! Very informative and so exciting to see these amazing birds. You aren’t able to take photos, so here are some I was able to take…

We had lunch at Third Place Cafe https://thirdplacecafe.nz/ which overlooks the lake. Great food and great coffee. We have another walk around the park and decide to stop at the Hot Foot Pools. Just love this city. Geothermal activity in the park is awesome, if a little frightening!

We are camped in Ngongotahā and fortunate enough to have a lakeside spot. So it is from here the we see the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.

We start 2025 by driving back to the coast and stopping along the way at Tutea Falls where we watch adrenaline junkies raft down 7m falls, plunging under the water before bobbing back up! We see cave wetas here too! Our next stop is a truly hidden gem, Waitangi Soda Springs. Hot water pools. Natural. Beautiful. And so relaxing. Run by a wonderful woman with a beautiful soul, it is a slice of heaven on earth.

Matatā Beach is our camp for the night. We can hear the ocean roaring from the van. Fish & Chips for tea from Aunties https://www.facebook.com/auntiesfishandchips?mibextid=ZbWKw