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Taupo Huka Falls, North Island, New Zealand.
Taupo Huka Falls

General Information

Taupo is the name of the town and district, located beside New Zealand’s largest Lake – Lake Taupo, in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand.
Just 3½ hours south of Auckland and 4½ hours north of Wellington, Taupo is the perfect place to unpack and unwind while you tour the Central North Island.
Taupo has some of the country’s finest untouched, uncrowded and unique landscapes. Taupo Airport is located 8km south of the Taupo town centre.
Turangi is also part of the district of Taupo but found at the south end of Lake Taupo.

Attractions and Activities

Lake Taupo has many adrenalin pumping activities, from waterskiing, windsurfing, trout fishing or taking a dip in the refreshing lake.
Centrally located on the shores of the largest Crater Lake in the Southern Hemisphere, it is also at the doorstep of Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage area, with ski fields, world famous trout fishing and countless other activities to suit all age groups.

Taupo, North Island, New Zealand.
A vista of Taupo, Lake Taupo to the National Park.

Geography

Taupo is located at the northeast corner of Lake Taupo, and functions as a tourist centre.
Lake Taupo itself was created by the largest known eruption of the past 5,000 years. Today, what remains is a lake the size of Singapore and the largest fresh water lake in Australasia.
The average summer temperature is 23 degrees celsius and the average winter temperature is 12 degrees celsius.
 Taupo Wairakei Craters Moon Park.
Taupo Wairakei Craters of Moon Park large and small steam vents.

Maori Mythology of Taupo

A great Maori priest, Ngatoroirangi and a chief, Tia arrived in the Bay of Plenty on their canoe the Arawa, where they settled with their people.
Tia decided to explore inland and came across the eastern side of Taupo. He saw a formation of rock which resembled his heavy cloak. He hung his cloak on a post and claimed the area as Taupo nui a Tia, which means the Great Cloak of Tia.
Ngatoroirangi later arrived, but headed further south finding snow covered, lifeless mountains. He climbed to the top of one of the peaks and was almost overcome by the terrible cold. He called for heat for warmth, asking his sisters in the ancestral home of Hawaiki for help. His prayers were answered by the fire gods and the fire came, travelling under the sea and land.The fire broke through the surface as volcanic or thermal activity and ran as a line through White Island, Rotorua, Taupo and down to the mountains which erupted as volcanoes.

Shopping

Don’t pack too much because the shopping here is excellent. You will find everything from antiques and art to designer knitwear and fishing flies or an original souvenir to take home. Many of the shops are open 7 days.

Taupo. North Island, New Zealand
A view of Taupo.

Maori Translation of Taupo

The full name is Taupo-nui-a-Tia.
Taupo – shoulder cloak.
nui – big.
Tia – is the name of the discoverer of the lake.
Literally translated it means ‘The great cloak of Tia’.
Huka – foam

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