Tuhua (Mayor Island)- Tauranga
Aerius Helicopters
New Zealands most unusual Volcano, "TUHUA' (Mayor Island) Our day guided tramping tour through one of New Zealand's largest Pohutukawa forests.
This 3 hour walk will take you to the Devils Staircase, The stronghold where tribe would defend the island in battle.
Then visit the "Big Tree" this massive pohutukawa specimen has a girth exceeding 11 meters and is regarded as one of New Zealand's biggest and oldest Pohutukawa trees.
You will see and hear many of our native birds including nectar-feeding bellbirds and tui, wood pigeons, morepork, fantail, kaka (brown parrot), grey warbler, waxeye, kingfisher and, soaring on the thermals, the harrier hawk. The island is also home to the Kiwi bird. A Bird watchers paradise.
For the more energetic we can customise a full day tour to include the diving, kayaking, or an extended trek into the crater and Ruru Pass.
The island is considered special by Maori the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) partly because of the presence of black obsidian,
A volcanic glass created by the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava, obsidian was prized by early Maori for cutting and scraping tools and weapons and has been found at Maori occupation sites as far afield as Tiwai Pt in the south to the Kermadec islands in the north. The obsidian was called Tuhua by Maori who called the island by the same name.
The name Tuhua has a double significance: it applies to the locality itself and also to its glassy black obsidian. Tuhua was the ancient name for Me'etia Island in the traditional homeland of Hawaiki, which was also a source of obsidian.
The most striking feature of Tuhua's volcanic history is the diversity of eruption types. Virtually every known style of volcanic eruption is known from this small volcano. These eruptions have included: Hawaiian fire-fountaining, Strombolian explosions, and Plinian falls and ignimbrite.
Quarantine restrictions apply to keep Tuhua pest-free
. Date to: 01/04/10
. Tramping boots recommended
. Anyone with severe allergies should bring an epi pen
. Moderate fitness recommended if taking the Devils Staircase tour.
. Tramping poles may be used.
. Children under 20 kgs cannot be carried due to life jacket restrictions
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