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Tourists flock to the Pink and White terraces- Late 1830's
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First known tourist to the district, described the natural wonders of the region. (Walked/Rambles in NZ)
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Settled around Te Ngae and Tarawera, area known as the Thermal Wonderland. Offer the first visitors accomodation, food and guides.
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The Government General visits, promoting Rotorua starting the tourism age. Pink and WQhite Terraces became the first attraction- 1840's
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Guides and Services established in Tarawera.
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Two Main Routes into Rotorua, Overland- headwaters of Waihou Road near Matamata across to Mamaku plateau. By Ship- Tauranga/Maketu then on foot through the hills and into the Rotorua lakes district.
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Visitor numbers increase, therefore services are formed.
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Decline due to NZ land wars, meaning that tourists only came to NZ for the Pink and White Terraces (wealthy families). Show their wealth and status to boast about to everyone. Pink and White Terraces were in high demand and people would pay anything to see them. They were in such high demand that first class accomodations were made Central Hotel in Development at Tarawera- Bigger waka economic change and wealthy tribes in NZ during the social change.
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1870's Pink and White Terraces became the main attraction, tourists broke the journey at Ohinemutu.
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At least four hotels including the Lake House were in existence. Coach service was established. Tauranga direct road built. Government initiative to establish Rotorua township. Thermal District Springs Act enacted allowing access of the spa assets to Europeans.
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First Government spa the Pavilion Bath
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Mt. Tarawera erupted which then destroyed the Pink and White Terraces and created the buried village
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Shift in the focus of tourist attention:
Thermal Baths, Whakarewarewa, Waimangu Valley, Trout Fishing, Boat Cruises, Planning for a variety of hot water baths around the Sanatorium Reserve which later became the Government Gardens, Rainbow trout introduced to Lake Rotorua around this time. -
Railway, Auckland to Rotorua completed and Information Centre opened.
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Power station at Okere Falls begins operating, electric lights, sewerage, darinage and new water supply, and the Duchess Baths opened by Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (Later TM King George V and Queen Mary).
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The control of township vested with Department of Tourist and Health Resorts
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The Governments first major investment in the tourism (£48,000). Part of their plan to establish Rotorua as the Great South Sea Spa. Model Pa built at Whakarewarewa
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1914-1918 the toursit traffic halted due to the war.
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1930's two new baths were built- Ward (Polynesian Spa) and Blue Baths
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1929-1939 the tourism decline at this time was because of the Great Depression