Samantha Brown's Places to Love

Central North Island, New Zealand

Samantha explores the natural beauty of Lake Taupo by kayak and stops off for a soak in the hot springs before hiking upstream to the magnificent Huka Falls. At Te Puia, Samantha experiences Pohutu, the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere and learns how to cook in boiling hot geo-thermal pools. She also meets Katz, who heads the woodworking school of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, and talks about the Maori culture and the struggle to keep the culture alive. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley is filled with vast thermal activity and an active volcano, which is the next stop for Samantha, who tours the valley by boat and hikes to the Inferno Crater. Traveling by helicopter, Samantha gets a firsthand view of White Island, an active volcano, to further understand the thermal activity of this area. Hiking into the bush, Samantha joins a couple of rangers to learn about the national Kiwi bird and helps with their conservation efforts. At "The House That Came Home", Samantha takes part of a customary ritual and is welcomed into the Marae as part of the family, where she talks to Will about the history and community of the Marae. Concluding the ritual, Samantha is invited to a Hangi and joins the community for this traditional feast.