18/06/2026
One of Lake Taupō's most remarkable sights can only be seen from the water or the air.
Carved into the cliffs of Mine Bay and rising 14 metres above the lake, the Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings are an extraordinary piece of contemporary Māori art and a significant cultural landmark.
The main carving depicts Ngātoroirangi, the Māori navigator and tohunga who played an important role in the history of the Te Arawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa people. Surrounding him are smaller carvings representing kaitiaki (guardians) and other important cultural figures.
Created by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and completed in 1980, the carvings took years to finish. Working from boats and suspended platforms, the team carved directly into the rock face overlooking the deep waters of Mine Bay.
From above, you get a completely different perspective. The scale of the artwork, the surrounding bays, and the dramatic cliffs of Lake Taupō all come into view at once.
Our Taupō Bays & Rock Carvings flight takes in Mine Bay, Whakaipo Bay, Kaipo Bay, Jerusalem Bay, Taupō township and, on clear days, views stretching to Mt Ruapehu.
18 minutes | $288 per person
Minimum 2 people
027 302 5787
chopperworx.co.nz/scenic-flights-taupo
