About | Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings
The Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings are one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary contemporary Maori artworks. Standing 14 metres above the water, these carvings took 4 summers to complete back in the late 1970s and is one of the highlights while in Taupo.
The person behind the carvings is Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, who’s vision began from his grandmothers wish, for him to carve the likeness of her ancestor, Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Māori navigator, onto a Totara tree.
Not being able to find a totara tree, Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell instead found his canvas while out on the lake looking for inspiration. Matahi and four others took four years to complete the carving which wasn’t an easy feat. There are also smaller sculptures beside it, depicting tupuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians). When it was all finished, it was given to Taupo as a gift and has now turned into a huge tourist destination.
You can see the Maori Rock Carvings by water only, with several boat and kayak tours operating and kayaks ready for hire from Acacia Bay.
Listen to Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell’s story of the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings here:
Ways to see the Maori Rock Carvings:
Boat cruise:
- Ernest Kemp – a replica of a steamboat, enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee, refreshments available, they also provide colouring-in for the kids!
- Chris Jolly Outdoors – the largest catamaran on the lake. Free homemade muffin and hot drink included. Pram and wheelchair access. Colouring in, a treasure hunt and driving the boat is available to keep the kids happy.
Sailing boat:
- Taupo Sailing Adventures – give the crew a hand in hoisting the sails, have a turn on the wheel or just sit back and relax.
- Sail Barbary – sail on New Zealand’s only commercial electric yacht and enjoy a complimentary hot beverage of choice.
Kayak:
- Canoe and Kayak – enjoy 3 hours on the water and complimentary refreshments and images of your tour. 12yrs+
- Taupo Kayaking Adventures – mostly same as above – 3 hours on the water and refreshments – but on this one children under the age of 12 are allowed, but must be accompanied in a double kayak with an adult. You have the opportunity to swim as well. They also offer kayak hire from Acacia Bay if you want to do it by yourself.
Nearby
If you go on a tour from the Taupo marina, nearby is the:
Great Lake Walkway – Lion’s Walk
Spa Thermal Park (Otumuheke Stream)
Location
Photos
Beautiful day, we were excited to be heading out on the lake! Finding parking at the marina was easy peasy and we waited until the lovely Ernest Kemp came back into the marina – it runs back to back tours – what a busy boat! It seems like all of the tours on the lake are popular and there’s so many to choose from – we loved seeing the doughboat coming in – it’s small, round and pink and looks like a huge inflatable but with a motor on it. Pretty hilarious and fun at the same time. But yeah – there were heaps of vessels coming in and going out and it was nice just sitting and watching them for a while.
Our trusty Ernest Kemp ride came in and what a cute thing it is. Hopping aboard, we found a seat and it wasn’t long until we were heading out of there. As we travelled out of the marina and into deeper waters, we couldn’t believe how clear the water was and that we were able to see the bottom. The lake eventually dropped in too deep so that we couldn’t see the bottom anymore – it sometimes reaches depths of 186m but has an average depth of 100m (fun fact: Lake Taupo is about the size of Singapore – it’s crazy to think a whole country of nearly 6 million people could fit in there!), so we focused our attention on the beautiful lake and its rocky outline. We had recently been to Acacia Bay and Rangatira Point Walking Track and were able to see these places from the water. The Rangatira Point looked even more glorious than ever and what a day it would have been to go for a swim!
As we headed out further along the lake, we nestled in and the server gave us a colouring-in page of the Ernest Kemp and some felt-tips to keep the kids occupied, along with some drinks. The captain of the boat could be heard over the speaker, telling us a bit about the lake and the boat.
What a beautiful day it was to be on the lake! We couldn’t help but get outside to enjoy the beautiful scenery. There were a few other boaters out enjoying it with us and we spotted some kayakers, too. Ever since we got to Taupo and spent some time around the lake we’ve seen parasailers out and have been so interested in it! Did you know that the youngest person to do it was only 5? Pretty crazy, but the boys reckon they’d do it! What do you think? All the same, it looks super fun and a great way to see Taupo.
We came around the point and there it was, in all it’s glory. It was amazing to see and listen to all the meanings behind the different parts of it. Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell did a fantastic job of it, don’t you think? I love that anyone can come here and enjoy this and that it’s going to be enjoyed by many for years to come. What a way to leave your mark!
