Royal Tourists in Rotorua 1970-

20th Century Royals

20^th March 1970.While on tour in NZ with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne arrived for an unofficial visit to Rotorua, a few days holiday at Moose Lodge. The Queen’s Press Secretary accompanied them and took many photographs of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in and around Moose Lodge.  Prince Charles was whisked away by R.N.Z.A.F Iroquois, for a trip to Taupo fishing and Princess Anne mostly just relaxed at the Lodge, although she did go riding at Te Ngae.  Photographs published in the Daily Post 20/3/1970 pg. 1.

Photograph by Jack Lang, published in the Daily Post 20 March 1970.

5^th February 1974. The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles stayed at the International Hotel, attended a Maori Concert at the Soundshell and they went on a walkabout at the Memorial Park (lakefront) prior to a civic welcome at the Memorial Gates.  

The lakefront was crowded with people, some just there to see the Royals; others however were there to showcase Rotorua’s attractions.  A wood-chopping event for both men and women; A display from the Rotorua Spinners Club; a shearing performance by Mr Ivan Bowen; a Rhythmic Gymnastics display by Rotorua school children; a display of Rainbow and Brown trout in a swimming pool from the Ngongotaha Trout Hatchery; patients from Queen Elizabeth Hospital waited for the Royal party to reach the hospital, and more… “Prince Charles won the hearts of many when he chatted and laughed his way through the crowds of people, young and old, at the lakefront”.  In Daily Post 7 February 1974 p.4-5.

25^th February 1977.  The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came back to Rotorua, this time without Prince Charles. On the walkabout, at the Lake front,  the couple were treated to another display of Rotorua’s finest; a Screen Printer showing off his techniques; a Greenstone Sculptor (Mr D. Salt) ; P Class Yachts with their young sailors in attendance; a Dog Obedience demonstration ; Children & Staff of the Cerebral Palsy Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital ready to meet The Queen and H.R.H (assisted by the Mayor, Ray Woolliams) planted a commemorative English Oak tree nearby in a garden especially constructed by Mr. J. Dowie. 

  A civic luncheon was arranged with a limited guest list for the couple at The International Hotel.  Chef had prepared a fruit cocktail, a choice of main, trout or lamb, a sweet course and coffee.  In Daily Post, 25^th February 1977, p. 1 & 3.

6^th April 1981. Prince Charles arrived in the afternoon and stayed at the International Hotel that night. He officially opened the Pulp & Paper Conference, held in a marquee on the shores of Lake Tarawera, at Kotukutuku Bay on the evening of his arrival and was invited to stay for the hangi and Maori Concert.   The next day, as he left, the royal car did a slow drive along Te Ngae Road, with a short detour through the Redwood Masonic Village on his way to the airport.

10^th – 12^th April 1985. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arrived at Rotorua Airport where Mayor Keaney and Mrs Keaney, Mr P. Tapsell (Minister of Internal Affairs) and Mrs Tapsell greeted them. The couple were to attend a Civic Lunch at the Hyatt Kingsgate, on the way the official car slowed to wave at the group of 200 children from Lynmore Primary School.  The couple stayed at the International Hotel, unfortunately on their arrival a 49 yr. old man threw toilet rolls at the car, he was arrested and moved away very quickly. 

The Duke and Duchess received a ceremonial welcome at the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, where Guide Bubbles showed them around.  The Duke was presented with a traditional carving chisel and taiaha, and the Duchess was given a kiwi feather and flax evening bag. Before leaving Whakarewarewa the Duchess was presented with flowers from Miss A. Wickliffe.

30^th October 1995. The Queen and Prince Philip arrived for a three day visit to Taupo and Rotorua, their base for this visit was Huka Lodge.  Prince Philip in his capacity as patron of the WWF, along with Chris Laidlaw, visited the Mokoia Island Stitch Bird breeding programme. The party was received by a Maori welcome of over 100 elders belonging to the various sub-tribes around the Lake area, and members of the Mokoia Island Trust and students from Rotorua Lakes High School and Western Heights High School.  

The Queen and Prince Philip went on a private visit to the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and then on to Whakarewarewa. The Royal cars were then to take a slow drive to the Rotorua airport.

17^th March 2007. Prince Andrew represented the Queen, at a special ceremony, at Papaiouru Marae Ohinemutu, to formally recognise Haane Maanahi for bravery at Takrouna Ridge in North Africa. A gift of a sword, from King George VI’s collection and an altar cloth for St Faiths Church, were presented. 

After this he visited the 28^th Maori Battalion exhibition at Rotorua Museum, then went on to Mokoia Island where he released a Kiwi, named after his eldest daughter, Beatrice.

With thanks to the Don Stafford Collection and the Daily Post for the information.

Royal Tours of Rotorua 1930s-1960s

Royal Sightseers drawn to Rotorua. 

H.R.H Duke of Gloucester, Prince Henry 21^st Dec-24^th Dec 1934. Stayed at the Grand Hotel.

HRH visited at the beginning of the Rotorua Carnival. The festivities laid on for his visit included a Provincial Ball at the Ritz Hall, Maori reception at Arawa Park, Civic Reception at the Town Square, Carnival Ball at the Ritz Hall, an Open Air Maori concert at the Town Square, A Maori Concert by Guide Rangi’s party at the Peerless Hall and sightseeing during which he visited Whakarewarewa guided by Guide Rangi & Guide Bella and Mita Taupopoki.

He also went trout fishing at Awahou where he caught 9 “well-conditioned fighting trout”

The Prince attended the ‘Maori Consecration Service at St Faith’s’ Bishop of Aotearoa, Rev. Bennett presiding.

On his final night in Rotorua he and his entourage stayed on the special train laid on for his visit as they were leaving Rotorua at 4:00 am. for Auckland.

Sir George Grey Special Collections,
Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19341226-35-1

Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh,  2 January  1954

On a five day visit to Rotorua, the Queen stayed at Moose Lodge which had been prepared by the owner Noel Cole, for their exclusive use.

Maori reception at Arawa Park the Queen addressed the crowd with a speech thanking them for their loyalty to the Crown.

Excerpt from Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954 pg. 9

“I have long looked forward to this, my first full meeting with the Maori people in their own homeland, for I have heard much of your proud traditions and that deep abiding loyalty which you have so often demonstrated in peace and in war” 

They attended a Civic Reception at Motutara Golf Course, in the Government Gardens, where an estimated crowd of 40,000 waited, this was four times the usual Rotorua population.

The Queen attended the service at St John’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. 

Visiting the Rotorua Aerodrome with Prime Minister Sidney Holland – the Queen talked to the staff at James Aviation Ltd. NZ Herald 

Guide Rangi showed them around Whakarewarewa – The Pohutu Geyser (eventually), the Model Pa was showcased and the Penny Divers waited eagerly for the Royal couple to arrive at the Puarenga Stream. View the video of Guide Rangi and the Queen here

Duke planned to enjoy swimming, boating, water-skiing and fishing while at Moose Lodge.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip walking in to a Maori welcoming ceremony, Rotorua.
Ref: WA-34240-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23528614

1956: Duke of Edinburgh came for a brief visit, arriving in the new NAC Heron, Mako Aircraft, then he was driven to Kawerau where he was scheduled to visit the Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill.  

On leaving the Rotorua Aerodrome, the cars drove slowly down Whaka Road, turned down Ti Street, along Wairoa Road. Crowds two deep lined the road. School children cheering and waving as the Duke passed by.

There was slight confusion when the Royal Car arrived at the aerodrome the next day as the Duke had driven himself from Wairakei, the photographers were lined up on the passenger side only to find an empty seat!. 

June 1966: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mother flew in to Rotorua Aerodrome on a DC8 the largest aircraft to land at the new airport and thence by car to her official engagement that day at the Sportsdrome for the Official Welcome. She then had lunch at the Grand Hotel before flying on to Hamilton.

Rotorua Photo News, 4th June 1966. This photo appeared on the back cover.

With thanks to the Don Stafford Collection and Papers Past for the above information and DigitalNZ for the images.