Experience Tērā Te Auahi
Make Tērā Te Auahi part of your Rotorua summer experience and don't miss this extraordinary Te Arawa production. For a limited season only.
Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Rotorua
15 January 2027 – 14 February 2027
Tērā Te Auahi
The story of the Tarawera eruption
Experience the story of the Tarawera eruption through a powerful contemporary Te Arawa production combining theatre, music, movement and kapa haka.
Created by the performing arts collective Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa, this performance retells the story of the 1886 Tarawera eruption, bringing one of Aotearoa's most significant historical events vividly to life through the experiences of those who lived through it.
Witness the story in the place it happened and deepen your connection to Rotorua, through heartfelt Māori storytelling, culture and performance.
Following a sold-out debut season, Tērā Te Auahi returns for a limited summer season, inviting audiences on a powerful journey through the history, legends and spirit of this remarkable place.
-
-
An interpretation of the Tarawera eruption
Tērā te Auahi explores the interconnected stories of the people of Te Wairoa and surrounding villages, and the enduring spirit of the land itself. Through powerful performance, Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa illuminate themes of loss, survival and resilience.
The event that changed everything
-
140 years after the eruption
On 10 June 1886, the eruption of Mount Tarawera changed this place forever. Villages were buried, lives were lost, and the surrounding landscape was dramatically reshaped. Today, the stories and history of that time are shared through experiences that help visitors understand what happened here, and why Tarawera remains such a powerful and significant place.
-
The mountain that shaped Rotorua's story
Long before Rotorua became a destination for visitors from around the world, Te Arawa ancestors discovered a remarkable landscape of steaming valleys, pristine lakes and geothermal wonders. Mount Tarawera, a sacred maunga to Te Arawa, is deeply connected to the history and identity of Rotorua and its people. Its story tells of the beginnings of tourism in Rotorua, and one of the most dramatic natural events in New Zealand’s history.
Experience the story of Tarawera
Extend your Tērā te Auahi experience beyond the stage. Discover the story of Tarawera through unforgettable experiences. Each offers a unique perspective on this remarkable landscape and its history.
- Buried Village of Te Wairoa
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Volcanic Air
- Kaitiaki Adventures
- Lake Tarawera
- Rotorua Duck Tours