Kuirau Reserve / Kuirau Park

 Kuirau Reserve : a brief history

Kuirau Reserve is also known as Kuirau Park to locals and tourists alike as a popular place to soak one’s tired feet, relax with a picnic and entertain their children in the playground.  I have researched some background history to create for the reader a picture of this well known locale.

Kuirau Reserve was gifted to the Crown as a recreation reserve by Ngati Whakaue, at the same time as:

Sanatorium Reserve, Pukeroa Reserve, Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve c1881 (Ohinemuri Gazette, 1908).

Stafford (1986) mentions in his narrative that:

In 1893 a syndicate with £5000 planned to establish a bathing pavilion, and in 1896 C.A.C Clarke proposed to aerate the waters from the Kuirau Spring & other springs as a heath drink, and by this time paths had been cut through the scrub and Ohinemutu residents had cleared an area of scrub and built baths.

Stafford says that by the early 1900s, tourists flocked to the reserve to swim in the Lobster Pool, so called due to the colour of their skin after spending some time bathing there.  Sadly some people stayed too long and it is suspected were overcome by the heat and drowned.  Other visitors to the reserve were also scalded when not watching where they put their feet, strayed into either a pool or one of the streams flowing away from the pool (Stafford, 1986).

Eruptions were known to occur in the reserve, the first recorded in 1902, then 1906, 1930s, 1960s- 1980s and the one I remember most vividly was in 2001!

The park was given its first architect’s design by Mr F Tschopp in c1931 who presented it to the then Borough Council. His design included sports grounds (Auckland Star, 1931).

In 1938 an article appeared in the Bay of Plenty Times which talks about the council workers finding stumps and logs which at some stage long ago, had been buried beneath the surface. These stacks of wood were kept and the reporters (unnamed) suggest that it will make good firewood: 

The species of timber were “rimu, white pine and tanekaha” (Bay of Plenty Times, 1938).

A newspaper article stated that:

The sports grounds were not officially started until c1944 when a cricket pitch composed of a hard claylike substance known as Tarawera Ash, but the cricket grounds were still to be completed in 1945, and a working bee was called for asking the Athletic Club and cricket teams to participate (Daily Post, 1994).

Little more is reported regarding the grounds or park until 1959 when the Jaycees put in 300 man hours clearing scrub and blackberry.

‘The piece that borders Ranolf Street stretching from the northern extent of the park proper to the old Lobster swimming pool (Daily Post, 1959).

In this aerial photograph from 1959 you can see the sports grounds set in a triangle to the south of the Kuirau Spring.

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs. Ref: WA-50072. Alexander Turnbull Library

In 1961 John Smale opened his Toot – n – Whistle model railway in the north western area of the park.  John built the locomotive and track himself and created the landscaping from existing features of the park grounds.  To read his story click this link to Kete Rotorua.

John Smale “engineer, owner, driver” 

Smale J. (1961) Toot-n-Whistle.  Kete Rotorua. http://rotorua.kete.net.nz

A newspaper article in a local Rotorua newspaper reported that:

In 1963 the Rotorua Lions Club gifted a Traction Engine for the children’s playground, this magnificent relic of days gone by was enjoyed by thousands of Rotorua children and visitors to the park. It was removed from the park in June 1988, and moved to MOTAT in Auckland. (Daily Post, 1988)

Also at the park at this time was the tank as shown below and an aeroplane, which I remember playing on as a child.

AAQT 6539 W3537 59 / A77131 archway.archives.govt.nz/

In 1967 an artificial geyser was engineered by the Asst. Hospital Engineer, Louis Vause. He diverted waste heat from the hospital’s heat exchange bore. The new ‘geyser’ was officially opened by the Mayor, Murray Linton. (Rotorua Photo News, 1967) 

 Rotorua Photo News, 15 Dec 1967, page 83

Rotorua Library, Rotorua Heritage Collection.

In 1970 some thermal activity in the park gave two Auckland boys a fright, when a mud pool erupted nearly 60ft in the air.

Tons of mud lay around the pool and hung from a 30ft wattle tree nearby. It is reported to be about 50 yards from a “giant thermal eruption four years ago” (Daily Post, 1970)

Eruption of 1966 in Rotorua Photo News, 24 Sept 1966, pg's 4-5

Rotorua Library, Rotorua Heritage Collection.

Post written by Alison Leigh, with thanks to Alexander Turnbull Library, Archives NZ, Papers Past 

References (available from the Heritage Collections, Rotorua Library)

Stafford, D. M. (1986). The founding years in Rotorua: a history of events to 1900. Ray Richards.

Stafford, D.M. (1988). The new century in Rotorua: a history of events from 1900. Ray Richards.

Rotorua Photo News. (1967) Round Rotorua. Rotorua Photo News.

Daily Post. (1959, April 8). Jaycees cleared park: Council lets it revert to scrub. Daily Post.

Daily Post. (1970, August 26). Kuirau Park eruption. Daily Post.

Daily Post. (1988, June 10). Old timer needs TLC. Daily Post.

Smale J. (2012). Biography. Toot-n-Whistle. Kete Rotorua. http://rotorua.kete.net.nz/site/topics/show/177-toot-n-whistle

Papers Past:

Auckland Star. (1931, Nov 28). Beautifying Rotorua. Auckland Star. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19311128.2.67?end_date=31-12-1931&items_per_page=10&query=+kuirau+reserve&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1931

Bay of Plenty Times. (1938, February 6). Items of interest: Buried forest unearthed. Bay of Plenty Times. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19380203.2.10?items_per_page=10&query=buried+forest+items+interest+&snippet=true&title=BOPT

Tulips in Rotorua

History of tulips

The tulip was originally a wild flower growing in Central Asia. It was first cultivated by the Turks as early as 1000AD. 

The Turkish word for tulip is lale. It is believed that the botanical name tulipa is derived from the Turkish word for turban. Although it is not known if this is reference to the flower's shape or because Turks often wore the flower tucked into their turban.

Tulips were introduced to Western Europe and the Netherlands in the late 16th century. Today tulips are largely associated with Holland. Tulip festivals are well known in Holland and Holland is often called the 'flower shop of the world'.

Settlers introduced flowers to New Zealand and tulips were being advertised for sale as early as 1850. The Christchurch Horticultural Society highlighted tulips at a flower show in 1883.

Wellington Independent. 5 June 1850. Source: Papers Past.

Tulips in Rotorua

When Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall and Lady Newall visited Rotorua in October 1941 Lady Newell was presented a bouquet of tulips by the Mayoress.

Rotorua has always had great displays of tulips blooming around the inner city, Government Gardens, and Kuirau Park.

Tulips in Kuirau Park. Source: Rotorua Photo News, Oct 24, 1970.

Government Gardens opening day of croquet season. Source: Rotorua Photo News, Dec 14 1963

Rotorua hosted a Tulip Festival in 2014. The event was hosted annually for another 3 years. The festival saw over 100,000 tulips planted throughout the city and series of public events held.

Below are a selection of photos from the Rotorua Tulip Festival. To see more visit the library to see our September 2020 display.

Photo: Alison Leigh

Photo: Rachael Reid

Photo: Rachael Reid

Photo: Rachael Reid

Photo: Alison Leigh

This blog was written by Graeme. With thanks to the Rotorua Library Heritage Collections and Archives. Also thank you to Abigail Hartevelt, Alison Leigh, Dave Moulden, Kowhai Epapara, Kathy Nicholls, Rachael Reid (thecuriouskiwi.co.nz), and Trish Brown.

Rotorua Gardens

What is it about a garden that draws the eye? Personally, I prefer gardens that looks like they've been there for years. There's lichen on the concrete, herbs spilling over the back porch and secret nooks and crannies that are a pleasure to stumble upon. Then you have the garden that has been planned with an eye for detail, to showcase it's natural and historical features.

Government Gardens 

A garden that has been planned over time is one way of describing the Government Gardens in Rotorua. Once covered in native plants like manuka, kanuka and mingimingi, it now boasts a combination of native and exotic plants, buildings, man-made ponds, geothermal areas, a gardeners cottage, monuments and a sculpture trail. This huge garden covers approximately 48 hectares of land, has a strong link to local Maori and is a historical landmark. Originally known as Paepaehakumana, it was the site of several significant battles. Now visitors can admire the rose gardens and sit in the shelter of the pavilion or watch a game of bowls.

Government Gardens 2017.
Kete Rotorua. Photograph by
Alison Leigh

Kuirau Park 

Kuirau Park is another stunning area that features a large beautiful geothermal pool. It covers 50 acreas and was gifted by Ngati Whakaue. In 1930 it became a permanent recreational reserve and was developed from a swampy scrub covered area to what it is now. Today the park is made up of an Aquatic Center, sports fields, parkland and geothermal areas. 

Toot & Whistle Train at Kuirau Park,
Rotorua. Kete Rotorua.

Inner City Beauty

Throughout Rotorua's Central Business District there are stunning displays of colour and art that draw the eye. The city gardens are maintained by a dedicated team from Rotorua Lakes Council and are scheduled for regular change. These inner city gardens also feature in some events such as the Tulip festival which is run annually and organised by 'The Inner City of Rotorua' group. During the festival, the group showcases gardens and celebrates spring by showing over 40,000 tulips.

Tulip Festival 2014, Arawa Street.
Kete Rotorua. Photograph by Alison
Leigh.

Tulip Festival 2014, Lakefront Rotorua.
Kete Rotorua. Photograph by Alison Leigh

Garden Features

The orchid gardens (now part of the Tamaki Village Gardens) once boasted a spectacular 'Water Organ' which was installed in 1988. The parts for the organ or fountain were made in West Germany, and fully assembled stood at 12 metres by 2 metres. The organ played every hour for 20 minutes at a time. 

Water Organ at The Orchid Gardens.
Rotorua Daily Post 1988, Rotorua Library Newspaper Collection.

In 1995, the Annand family found a Kaka in their garden. It was only the second to have been seen in the area in 30 years. 

Do you have photos and memories of a garden? How about sharing them on Kete Rotorua. Please contact Alison Leigh at Rotorua Library on 351-7025. 

This post has been compiled with information sourced from the Rotorua Library's newspaper collection and Kete Rotorua, and written by Ani.

Geothermal benefits for residents 1930-1980s

Rotorua Thermal attractions.

The Pavilion & Rachel Baths upgraded and becomes Ward Baths c.1930-1972.

New Blue Baths facility opened in 1931, the Children's pool supplied by thermal water.

Photograph of the Children's pool at the new Blue Baths, 1961 by L.R. Leigh

1930 - Kuirau Park, a new layout designed by Landscape Architect Mr F. Tschopp.  He included rugby, cricket, soccer, hockey, tennis, netball, croquet, running and cycling tracks, open air swimming pool, a children's playground, dressing pavilions, rest rooms and a tea kiosk as well as all the natural thermal ngawha.

Photograph taken 1961 by L.R. Leigh.

1938 - Mr P. A. Kusabs had a water diviner locate a source of water, then a bore drilled on his property he was developing. He wanted to use the thermal resource for heating and water supply.

1940 - Borough Motor Camp utilised the diviner to locate a source of  hot water for baths and the laundry.

1940 - Cosy Cottage Motor Camp bore drilled to supply hot water to the camp.

1940 - Rotorua Primary School bore drilled to supply hot water for baths.

1946 - Amohau Street Transit Camp bore drilled to supply hot water to the camp ablution block. Cooking boxes were planned for the following year.

National Publicity Studio. Archives NZ

1948 - DSIR Scientist Mr R.W. Foster received approval to install a thermal reticulation system to the block bounded by Pukaki, Fenton, Whakaue & Tutanekai Streets.

1953 - Government passed the 'Geothermal Energy Act' this stipulated that all bores deeper than 200 ft. required a licence.

1958 -  Mr Gilltrap donated an old traction engine to the Borough Council for the children's playground in Kuirau Park.

1962 - New Zealand Insurance Co. Ltd. donated a fountain and funds for surrounding gardens for Kuirau Park as part of the company anniversary celebration.

1966 - Approx. 60 bores existed in town and in the area closest to the centre of town.

1967- Mr Lewis Vause engineer, built an artificial geyser.

1967/68 - Mr N. T. Ussher opened Thermal Nurseries in Sala Street.

1970 - Waikite Hot Pool complex opens.

1972 -  Ward Baths becomes Polynesian Pools.

With Thanks to Don Stafford, Archives NZ and Kete Rotorua for the above information and photographs.