Rainbow and Fairy Springs : a brief history

Rotorua Tourism at it's best.

Fairy Spring = Te Puna a Tuhoe 

The name derives from Tuhoe-potiki, eponymous ancestor of the Tuhoe tribe. Tuhoe was able to spend some time in this district while travelling to Waikato. His residence here was close to this spring which from that time was known by his name. in Pakiwaitara: Te Arawa stories of Rotorua by Don Stafford. c.1999

*Trout were imported into NZ from c.1867, and the 1st trout ova (an American Brook Trout) were released in Rotorua was 1874. https://teara.govt.nz/en/acclimatisation/page-2

*The earliest recorded memories and diaries of intrepid tourists to our fair region have been published in newspapers of the late 1800's and up to 1945. These newspapers are accessible via New Zealand National Library digital website Papers Past.

Here are some excerpts about the Fairy Spring which was made famous by those early tourists :

Auckland Star 8/4/1899, an excerpt from ‘A trip to Rotorua’ by John Millar. 

NZ Times 26 Apr 1899, an excerpt from “NZ’s Wonderland Visited” by J.G.

…”Fairy Spring throws up 5 gallons per day of icy cold water…”

Manawatu Herald 11 Dec 1900, an excerpt  from ‘The wonderland of NZ’ by Chas Austin.

… ‘Fairy Springs 2 ½ miles from Rotorua is a very pretty sight (Guide 6d) and should not be missed”

Photographs by J. Batchelor, printed in "Rotorua: Wonderland of New Zealand"
(publication date not known).

Some famous tourists who visited the Spring were :

• The Prince of Wales in 1920
• The American Fleet in 1925
• The Duke and Duchess of York in 1927

Some other milestones of the Springs :

Owners Bert & Mavis Fort added Aviaries of introduced birds, a Tea House, and baby animals for children to enjoy. Other animals joined the family too, a deer named 'Lulu', a wallaby named 'Joey', goats named 'Punch' and 'Judy' 

There was also a shop where souvenirs could be purchased 'in good taste without being expensive' 

Photograph by Don Cole in "Rainbow Springs-Rotorua New Zealand" published c.1977.

To see a copy of their brochure come in to the Library and see our display on the 2nd floor.

To visit the Te Puna a tuhoe spring today
go along to the Mitai Village on Fairy Springs Road.

Rainbow Springs and Motor Camp 

c.1921 – The piece of land, later to be developed into Rainbow Springs, was owned by Mrs Duffle who kept a few cows. [Peggy Allen ‘Rural community, Rotorua,  1920”]

c.1929 Ted Bruce purchases the property develops the Camping Ground with the Springs as an add-on.  

This photograph was taken at the Springs in 1938 and is the property of Lorna Bartlett
This copy kindly lent by Ray Punter

This photograph was taken at the same pool as above in 1939
Pictured is Hazel Pilcher with a friend.
This copy kindly lent by Ray Punter

The following advertisement appeared in the New Zealand Herald in 1938.

From Library records we know that Mr. J. E. Mills purchased the springs in 1967 and developed the springs part of the business.

And in 1973 – Rainbow Motor Camp & Springs, merges with Fairy Spring.  Mr T. R. Woolliams who bought the lease of Fairy Springs for $60,000, 2 years ago, has decided to sell the Springs so that he can spend more time with his other commitments. In Daily Post. 

New owners for the Springs: Chartwell Trust owned Rainbow and Fairy Springs and Rainbow Farm from 1974-1995

1975 – A new nocturnal Kiwi House opens – Kiwis were fed on beef heart cut in strips to resemble worms; spaghetti; fruit; vegetables and thiamine supplement.  

Here a Rainbow Springs staff member prepares the food
ably assisted by the Kereru on her head.
Photograph by Don Cole in "Rainbow Springs-Rotorua New Zealand" published c.1977

Between 1976 and 1981, Chartwell commissioned and worked with architect Roger Walker for the redevelopment of the Gift Shop and café. The path connecting Rainbow and Fairy Springs was established c.1980 and in 1986, Rainbow Farm opens on opposite side of Fairy Springs Road.

1987 saw the opening of a Tuatara enclosure.

Page one of the Rainbow Springs brochure c.1996 

The springs at that time also had a number of other native and introduced species which could be fed by purchasing the food at the springs shop.

These included Red Deer, Captain Cooker pig, and a Thar.

In the 1990's further development of the springs included a $1.5 million upgrade, a restaurant, an underground viewing room, a new entrance and new attractions at the Rainbow Farm. The Springs was sold to another owner c.1995.  

A few more milestones as found in the Daily Post: 

2003 – Rainbow Farm Show sold the owners of Mt Tarawera 4WD Tours.

2004 – ‘Kiwi Encounter’  developed further.

2007 – Rainbow Springs celebrates 75th Anniversary.

2011 – Log Flume Ride – Big Splash opens.

2018 -  Playscapes and Water Play Areas added.

2018 - Rainbow Springs celebrates 85th Anniversary  

2019 - "The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa has welcomed its 2020th kiwi chick, just in time to celebrate the New Year.

The special kiwi hatched on December 30 at the facility, which is hosted at Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua, and he or she is part of what is shaping up to be the hatchery's busiest season yet."  In Daily Post online 31st December 2019.

This post written by Alison, with thanks to the Don Stafford Collection, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, Ray Punter and the Daily Post.