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Kōrero: Volcanic Plateau places

Waikimihia (Hinemoa’s bath)

Image
Waikimihia

Waikimihia, the natural hot pool shown in this turn-of-the-century postcard, plays a role in the famous love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai. Hinemoa swam out to Mokoia Island at night to meet her forbidden lover. She left the lake shore at what is now called Hinemoa Point, near Ōwhata, and later recovered from her swim by soaking in the hot pool.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Rotorua Museum of Art and History, Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Reference: OP-2985

Permission of Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Malcolm McKinnon, Volcanic Plateau places – Lake Rotorua, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/15013/waikimihia-hinemoas-bath (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Malcolm McKinnon, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009, updated 25 May 2015.