Tikitere
Tikitere | |
|---|---|
Rural locality | |
 Hot pools in 2019 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 38°03′54″S 176°21′40″E / 38.065°S 176.361°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Rotorua Lakes District |
| Ward | Te Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward |
| Community | Partly in Rotorua Lakes Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Rotorua Lakes Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.24 km2 (1.64 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 770 |
| • Density | 180/km2 (470/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3074 |
Tikitere, also known as "Hell's Gate", is a suburb in
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.
The Tikitere urban area includes Waiohewa 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.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 600 | — |
| 2013 | 675 | +1.70% |
| 2018 | 702 | +0.79% |
| Source: [11] | ||
Tikitere had a population of 702 at the
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.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 891 | — |
| 2013 | 963 | +1.12% |
| 2018 | 1,020 | +1.16% |
| Source: [13] | ||
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a smaller boundary, covering 63.45 km2 (24.50 sq mi).
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
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.
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
Scientific study
Geology
The Tikitere-Ruahine geothermal field
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]
References
- ^ a b c d "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b "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)
- ^ "Tikitere - Volcanic Plateau places". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Top 5 Geothermal Wonders in Taupo & Rotorua". New Zealand Tourism. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Ngāti Rangiteaorere Deed of Settlement summary". 2013.
- ^ a b c "Hell's Gate". Hells Gate. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Lake Rotorua - Volcanic Plateau Places". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7014886–7014887 and 7014889–7014891.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiohewa (200400). 2018 Census place summary: Waiohewa
- ^ "Amazeing: Rotorua icon to reopen in December". NZ Herald. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- Education Review Office.
- ^ a b Cody, Ashley D. (2007). "Geodiversity of geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone" (PDF).
- ^ 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.
- S2CID 129792354.
- PMID 18422642.
- ^ Lee, Chien-Yu Kevin (2010). The Physiological and Ecological Characterisation of the First Cultivated Species of the Candidate Division OP10 (PDF) (Thesis).
External links
