Rotorua a Mecca for Health and Healing
People have been drawn to Rotorua for hundreds of years to bathe in the healing thermal waters of the natural ngawha ( hot mineral springs).
Not surprising that Lake Rotoiti is an area that still attracts spiritual healers today. The natural elements of the Lake, the Kaituna River, the waterfalls, the ngahere (bush) and the ngawha all contain a mauri or life force that supports the indigenous healing therapy on offer at Wikitoria Maori Healing, Okere Falls. I practice Romiromi , a traditional Maori massage bodywork and spiritual healing passed down by our ancestors.
After a Romiromi or Mirimiri treatment I always recommend a visit to Waitangi Soda Springs my favourite bathing sanctuary used by local Maori for centuries. Owned and operated by the local tribe now, it is open from 7.30am to 9.30.pm seven days a week-$8 entry . I often go there early in the morning, face the sun and relax in the silky soft waters containing 26 minerals and soda bubbles. A few locals will turn up and sometimes a few tourists as it is off the beaten track-you drive along picturesque Lake Rotoiti passing all the Maori meeting houses heading south towards Whakatane until you come to Lake Rotoehu. Turn into Manawahe Road at the Waitangi Soda Springs sign and you’ll see the steam rising on the left and a big fence and entrance to Soda Springs.
I always head straight to the hottest spring called Reihana surrounded by overhanging bush though most people enjoy the mixed hot and cold currents or go to the lower pool to get a massage from the waterfall for aches and pains. People from around the world visit Rotorua’s thermal mineral pools to help heal arthritis, skin diseases and many other ailments.
I go to Soda Springs to rejuvenate, to meditate, to feel one with nature and creation and always feel very blessed to have access to such a magical place of natural healing and remember why I shifted back to Rotorua! If you go there on a clear night you can gaze up to the Milky Way and beyond!
Mauri ora
Wikitoria
