Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
Papua New Guinea
Māori art · Taupō, Waikato
Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings
Carved face of the Māori navigator Ngātoroirangi on a cliff by Lake Taupō, about 14 meters high, visited by boats, sailing vessels and kayaks departing from Taupō.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings
The Mine Bay carvings are on a pumice cliff at the edge of Lake Taupō, west of town, in a bay accessible only by water. The main work is a large carved face with a Māori tattoo (moko), about 14 meters tall, surrounded by smaller figures.
The face represents Ngātoroirangi, the priest and navigator who, according to tradition, guided the canoe Te Arawa to New Zealand and brought volcanic heat to the region. The carvings were made in the late 1970s by Māori artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and his team, with permission from the elders of the local tribe.
Boat, sailing and yacht tours depart from Taupō marina and take about two hours return, with commentary on the work and the lake’s geology. Guided kayak tours depart from Acacia Bay and other nearby beaches and approach the cliff by paddling.
The view of the cliff changes with the light: in the morning the face is in shadow, and in the afternoon it receives direct sun.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 hours for boat tours; 3–4 hours for kayak trips.
Best time
In the afternoon, when the cliff gets direct sun. kayak trips depend on a calm lake; in the morning the wind is usually lighter.
How to get there
Only by water: boats and sailboats depart from Taupō marina in the town center, and guided kayaks launch from beaches west of town.
Tip
Choose an afternoon trip to see the sunlit side. Bring a jacket: the lake can be windy even on warm days.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings
Can you see the Mine Bay carvings by land?
No. The cliff is only accessible by water, on boat, sailboat or kayak tours.
Are the Mine Bay carvings ancient?
No. They were made in the late 1970s by Māori artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, in tribute to the navigator Ngātoroirangi.
How long is the boat trip to the Mine Bay carvings?
About two hours round trip from Taupō marina.