January 23, 2014
Waitomo hapu marking 125 years underground
Waitomo Glow worm Caves is celebrating its 125th anniversary of guiding this year.
The caves were opened to the public in 1889 by local rangatira Tane Tinorau Opataia, after he had surveyed the underground complex with surveyor Fred Mace.
Tinorou’s great grandson, head guide Huia Davis, says many of his descendants continue to work in the caves, which are now back in the ownership of the Ngati Uekaha hapu and leased to Tourism Holdings.
To mark the centenary, New Zealanders who visit the caves before March 31 will be given the opportunity to return as many times as they like during the year for free.
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