Swirling in mysterious shapes and beautiful imagery over huge rocks, the Maori carvings of Lake Taupo can only be seen by boat and were created to be viewed from the water.  We’d dropped anchor a few metres away and people leapt off the yacht into the dark green depths and swimming over for a closer look.  My son and I decided to stay on board and observe them from a safe distance – a large lizard looked about to slip in and maybe snack on one of the bathers. 

We were on a cruise aboard ‘The Barbary’ a beautiful yacht built in California during the early 20th Century.  Legend has it that the famous screen star and romantic hero, Errol Flynn won the yacht in a card game in 1938. It was recently refurbished and is the first and, currently, only electric yacht to work commercially in New Zealand.  The wind whipped across Lake Taupo and sent the boat scudding across to Mine Bay in fine style.  The lake, on North Island, is actually a caldera, created by a massive volcanic eruption over 25,000 years ago. The volcano is defined as ‘dormant’, not extinct and, with New Zealand’s dynamic geology, it might wake one day …

So, in the 1970s, a sculptor called Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell decided to carve a series of deeply spiritual and highly significant figures to appease the earth gods who protect this area.   According to Maori legend over a 1000 years ago a navigator called Ngatoroirangi guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area. Along with fellow artist John Randall, Matahi chipped away at the 10 metre high rocks to produce this awe-inspiring image of the navigator.

As the afternoon wore on the swimmers came back on board and we had drinks and something to eat, then it was time to up anchor and head back.  On one side of the rocks are two Celtic-style shapes depicting a Mermaid and the South Wind.  That wind blew us at a fair old pace all the way across the lake to the shore …

Gazing over at those intriguing Maori carvings of Lake Taupo I felt the power and significance that they hold for all who see them.  Somehow the fact that they were made only a few decades ago made them even more relevant.  It is reassuring to know that the skills and spiritual beliefs that it took to make them are still alive and thriving in today’s frenetic world …

This trip was made after a dear relative left me some money and I decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition to visit New Zealand.  My son was 10 years old and a big fan of ‘Lord of the Rings’.  We spent a wonderful 6 weeks exploring North Island and the top of South Island with a good New Zealand friend from my days living in Greece. This holiday far exceeded my expectations and has stayed in our memories as one of the best trips ever. Read how I learnt a valuable lesson from swimming with dolphins at Kaikoura – and promise yourself you’ll pursue your dreams – they really can come true …