Ohinemutu Travel Guide

Rotorua

Ohinemutu
Rotorua showing a hot spring and a park
St. Faith\'s Anglican Church featuring heritage architecture, a cemetery and a church or cathedral
Rotorua which includes a garden
Rotorua which includes a statue or sculpture as well as a small group of people

At this interesting heritage village beside Lake Rotorua see a traditional Māori meeting house, including an unusual church, and experience modern-day Māori life.

Ohinemutu is a small part of the city of Rotorua where ancient and modern Māori culture lives on. Providing an insight into both the past and present way of Māori life, it’s a cultural experience not to be missed. Just like the rest of the Rotorua city center, Ohinemutu sees small pockets of geothermal activity and has wonderful views of Lake Rotorua.

Take a walk along the lake from the center of Rotorua to reach the small settlement. Home to the Ngāti Whakaue people, Ohinemutu is centered on the fascinating Te Papaiouru Marae. A “marae” is a traditional complex of a meeting house with courtyard and any other associated community buildings.

Looking at the intricately painted buildings with wood-carved decorations, you can see how important these are to the local community. The most striking of all is the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house. The meeting house was named after the legendary chief and captain of the Te Arawa “waka” (canoe), which brought the first inhabitants to New Zealand. Notice the inlaid paua shells and the delicate carvings that adorn the façade.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the unusual St. Faith’s Church, which was built on the lake’s shore in 1914. Its Tudor-style exterior, common in England, gives way to an interior with a strong Māori influence. Its most famous feature is a stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ wearing a Māori cloak. The position of the window gives the impression of Jesus walking on the lake’s surface.

As you stroll around the village, hear and smell the geothermal activity, bubbling up through the Earth’s surface. The site of Ohinemutu was chosen to take advantage of these thermal waters for bathing, cooking and heating.

Ohinemutu is only a short walk from central Rotorua. If driving, there is a small parking lot next to the Māori handcrafts shop. The meeting house is not open to the public, but the church is. A donation is kindly requested. As a living and working suburb, Ohinemutu is permanently open and free of charge, but the villagers ask you to respect their privacy as you walk around.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Ohinemutu

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua

4 out of 5
94-98 Lake Road, Rotorua
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified motel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (447 reviews)
"Goid"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Bella Vista Motel Rotorua
Arawa Park Hotel

Arawa Park Hotel

4 out of 5
272 Fenton St, Rotorua
The price is Rp1.042.279 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
Rp1.042.279
Rp1.198.621 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Brilliant"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Arawa Park Hotel
JetPark Hotel Rotorua

JetPark Hotel Rotorua

4 out of 5
237 Fenton Street, Corner Victoria Street, Rotorua
The price is Rp1.598.330 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
Rp1.598.330
Rp1.838.079 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Very welcoming, lovely knowledge staff, large room, clean and tidy, big shower. Easy to find, close to shopping mall and to central to everything."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

JetPark Hotel Rotorua
Marsden Stay Rotorua

Marsden Stay Rotorua

3 out of 5
273 Fenton St, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is Rp851.741 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
Rp851.741
Rp979.502 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Polynesian Spa and Skyline Rotorua are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (205 reviews)
"Great Location."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Marsden Stay Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua

Rydges Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.186.129 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
Rp1.186.129
Rp1.364.048 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Overall excellent, bar service very slow, particularly with cocktails."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Rydges Rotorua
Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
1270 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua
The price is Rp1.598.330 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
Rp1.598.330
Rp1.838.079 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"I just felt very calm and relaxed during my stay. It was very peaceful. The staff were all friendly and the pool and gym were great. Wish I could of stayed longer. Will definitely be back 😊"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Ohinemutu

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Koutu

While visiting Koutu, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Rotorua and Tribal Lights Cultural Theatre.

Koutu
Rotorua Museum of Art and History featuring interior views as well as an individual child

Inner City

If you're spending some time in Inner City, Rotorua Night Market and Tamaki Maori Village are top sights worth seeing.

Inner City
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Mangakakahi

Though Mangakakahi may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Kuirau Park and Eat Street.

Mangakakahi
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Victoria

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Victoria and surrounding area, you can visit Rotorua Central Mall and Rotorua Night Market.

Victoria
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Utuhina

While Utuhina isn't home to many top sights, Kuirau Park and Rotorua Central Mall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Utuhina
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Fenton Street

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Spas and lake views are some things travellers note about Fenton Street. Check out Rotorua Central Mall or Polynesian Spa while you're familiarising yourself with the larger area.

Fenton Street

Ohinemutu Travel Guide