Redwood Forest Rotorua Wedding - Are you thinking about a Rotorua Wedding?

Kia Ora and Welcome to Rotorua, New Zealand

Explore Rotorua, a natural landscape set amidst lakes, geysers and boiling mud pools.  Where adventure meets relaxation.  Visit some of the  lakes, or get closer to nature and kayak to rejuvenating, natural hot springs. Tackle the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall; or challenge yourself in the Whakarewarewa Forest, on the best mountain biking trails south of the equator. A perfect location to host your Rotorua Wedding, complete with enough activities to keep your guests entertained both pre wedding and post wedding.

Culturally rich in Māori traditions, experience authentic Māori customs and feel the manaakitanga (hospitality) of the Te Arawa people, who have greeted visitors to the region for centuries. 
 
The Māori love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai has been told around the shores of Lake Rotorua for centuries. Tutanekai of Mokoia Island and Hinemoa of Owhata, whose family forbade her from marrying him. To prevent her from meeting him they beached their waka (canoe) but the strains of his lamenting flute wafted across the lake nightly and the smitten Hinemoa resolved to swim to him. One night, she set off towards Mokoia Island, but by the time she got there, Tutanekai had retired to his whare (house) to sleep. Hinemoa arrived at the island but without clothes was unable to enter the village, so she immersed herself in a hot pool. Presently Tutanekai’s slave came to collect water and Hinemoa lured him over, smashed his gourd and sent him back to his master. An enraged Tutanekai came to investigate, only to fall into into Hinemoa’s embrace.  “Tutanekai” she whispered,  “It is I Hinemoa” No longer would they be separated from each other again.  The next morning as the two lovers slept in late, Tutanekai's father sent his servant off to wake him, it was then reported by the servant that as he approached the door of Tutanekai's house, as he looked into the room he could see two pairs of feet and not one lying in Tutanekai's bed. 

After that Hinemoa and Tutanekai emerged together embracing one another.  From that moment on their union and love for one another was accepted by their relatives and tribes.
 
This love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai is considered to be the greatest love story that is recorded in Māori history, serenading wedding couples with their world famous love song  “ Pokarekare ana”
 
Connect with the locals and enjoy year-round outdoor dining and entertainment. With a huge selection of accommodation catering for all budgets, Rotorua will leave lifelong memories for both you and all of your friends and family.
 
Whakarewarewa Forest also known as the Redwood Forest in Rotorua, is a beautiful location to host your wedding ceremony.  Amongst the beautiful natural forest creating a stunning background for your special day, we have photographed a few weddings at Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua.  Although we are based in Auckland, we have family who are based in Rotorua, which makes it perfect for us to do your weekend wedding in Rotorua.

If you are planning to get married in New Zealand, and are thinking about having your wedding in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, check out these helpful resources provided by Rotorua NZ

Wedding Tips from Pete Duncan - The Wedding Guy 
Things to do in Rotorua
Do you need accommodation in Rotorua? - Check out these accommodation options
Places to eat in Rotorua
Information about the Redwoods an option for your wedding ceremony in Rotorua

Natalie Pasco Photography
Photos below are from our Rotorua Weddings in Whakarewarewa Forest

---