Buried Village

new zealand's most visited archaeological site where stories of the tarawera eruption come to life. violent and unexpected, the volcanic eruption of mt tarawera in june 10 1886 was one of new zealand's greatest natural disasters. more than 150 lives were lost and the eighth wonder of the world; the pink and white terraces vanished. thanks to the sensitive redevelopment by three generations of the smith family; you can see what life was like at the village before, during, and after the eruption. highlights: museum of te wairoa- established in 1999, the world class museum houses a large collection of objects excavated over the past 80 years from the mt tarawera eruption, and exhibits the early settlers to te wairoa. archaeological site- with excavations starting in 1931; the archaeological site reveals the devastation of the eruption. explore and walk among the very sites that once housed the people of te wairoa. the people are gone but their spirits remain. guided tours- to gain unique