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Story: Volcanic Plateau places

Waikimihia (Hinemoa’s bath)

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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.

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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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How to cite this page

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

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, published 2 March 2009, updated 25 May 2015.