Kayak across Lake Taupo in New Zealand to see the impressive Mine Bay rock carvings of Ngātoroirangi. Find tour details and advice for this unique cultural experience.
Lake Taupo kayak tour summary
- Strong winds made the kayak trip challenging but rewarding.
- Matahi Brightwell learned stone-carving alone in the 1970s.
- He carved Ngātoroirangi without tools, suspended from cliffs.
- Guided kayak tours start at NZ$140 per person.
For more information, read on. To book a tour, head here.
Kayaking on Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island is feistier than usual. A steadfast wind is blowing up, sending the usually serene waters into nagging chop. It turns what was planned to be a leisurely kayaking trip into a muscular challenge. Tongue out in concentration, I find myself putting my body into every stroke as the spray gives an all-over splashing. They’re the strokes of a Polynesian warrior in a war canoe rather than a tourist on a pleasant afternoon outing.
A sense of fight takes over – battling through nature rather than gliding along with it. And it takes pulling over into a quiet bay for us to be properly able to enjoy the scenery.
The views from Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. Look at a map and it seems as though the island has been built around the lake as a centrepiece. It’s a gorgeous spot, with the soaring volcanoes of Ruapehu and Tongariro looming in the distance on the lake’s far shore.
5 great experiences around Taupo to book now
- 🥾 Tackle New Zealand’s greatest day walk on a guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing tour.
- 🚤 Feel the thrill on a jet boat ride to Huka Falls.
- ⛵ See the giant Maori rock carvings on a Lake Taupo cruise.
- 🪂 Tandem skydive from 12,000ft over Lake Taupo.
- 🌋 Explore the bubbling mud, hissing geysers and silica terraces of the Orakei Korako geothermal area.
Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell’s rock carvings at Mine Bay
We are, however, at Mine Bay, where the major attraction is man-made rather than natural. In the late 70s, a carver called Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell came here and decided to use the cliffs as a canvas.
He was a woodcarver, so had to learn the very different techniques of stone carving, and started by altering the rocks by the side of the main cliff. He started off small and gradually got more ambitious, eventually leading to the large rock lizard that sits surveying the scene.
The main Maori rock carving on Lake Taupo
But the major effort took four years, using no measuring tools. The main carving – of Ngatoroirangi, a Maori navigator who brought the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo region a millennium ago – is over 10 metres tall. It’s a phenomenal effort, and in a spot with no land access. He’d have been hanging from the cliff while carving it.
The Mine Bay carvings are all the more special for being one man’s labour of love. And well worth the investment in arm power to get there.
Booking a Lake Taupo Maori rock carvings tour
Half day kayaking tours to the Mine Bay rock carvings with Taupo Kayaking Adventures cost from $NZ145 at the time of writing. Bookings can be made on the Viator site.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about the Mine Bay rock carvings
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are the Mine Bay rock carvings ancient? | No, the main carving of Ngātoroirangi is a contemporary artwork created in the late 1970s by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and his apprentices, honouring his ancestors and the local Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe. |
| Is previous kayaking experience required? | No, no prior kayaking experience is necessary. The tours are fully guided, and operators use stable double kayaks, making them suitable for beginners. |
| Can the rock carvings be seen from the shore? | No, the Mine Bay rock carvings are carved into the cliff face at Mine Bay and are only visible from the water via a boat, sailing charter, or guided kayak tour. |
| What should I bring on the kayak tour? | It is recommended to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, a towel, and a light windproof jacket. Most operators provide all necessary kayaking equipment. |
If kayaking seems a bit too much like hard work, have a look at the several Lake Taupo cruise options that visit the Mine Bay rock carvings. You can also do a jetboat adventure on the Waikato River from Taupo and visit the world’s coolest McDonald’s.
Other New Zealand kayaking experiences include kayaking around icebergs on Tasman Lake near Mt Cook.
Things to do near Lake Taupo
- Huka Falls – A powerful waterfall on the Waikato River, about 5km north of Taupō, with viewing platforms and walking trails.
- Craters of the Moon – A geothermal walking area near Wairakei with steaming vents, mud pools and boardwalk trails.
- Waipahihi Botanic Gardens – A 34-hectare botanical garden on the southern side of Taupō, with views across the lake towards the mountains.
- Taupō Museum and Art Gallery – A small museum in central Taupō covering local history, Māori heritage, art and the area’s volcanic landscape.
Alternative attractions
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing – A 19.4km volcanic walking route through Tongariro National Park, with the Emerald Lakes, Red Crater and Mount Tongariro among its main features.
- Wairakei Terraces – A geothermal attraction north of Taupō with silica terraces, thermal pools and Māori cultural associations.
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park – A geothermal area between Taupō and Rotorua with silica terraces, steaming ground and the Ruatapu Cave.
- Hot Water Beach – A geothermal section of the Lake Taupō shoreline where naturally heated water reaches the surface and can be used for bathing in suitable conditions.
- Spa Thermal Park – A riverside recreation area in Taupō with naturally heated pools where the Otumuheke Stream meets the Waikato River.
More New Zealand travel ideas
If you’ve enjoyed this story on the Mine Bay Maori rock carvings, there are other New Zealand articles on Planet Whitley. These include:
- A three week New Zealand travel itinerary.
- What to do on the Christchurch to Oamaru drive before seeing the blue penguins.
- Avoiding seasickness on the Stewart Island ferry.
- Sailing an Americas Cup yacht in Auckland.
- The scandalous history of Larnach Castle.
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