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Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand, known for its population of glowworms, Arachnocampa luminosa. This species is found exclusively in New Zealand. They are around the size of an average mosquito. This cave is part of the Waitomo Caves system that includes the Ruakuri Cave and the Aranui Cave.


Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

The attraction has a modern visitor centre at the entrance, largely designed in wood. There are organized tours that include a boat ride under the glowworms.


Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

The name "Waitomo" comes from the Māori words wai, water and tomo, hole or shaft. The local Māori people had known about the caves for quite some time before the local Māori Chief Tane Tinorau and an English surveyor, Fred Mace, did an extensive exploration in 1887. Their exploration was conducted with candlelight on a raft going into the cave where the stream goes underground. This is now the exit for the cave. As they began their journey, they came across the Glowworm Grotto and were amazed by the twinkling glow coming from the ceiling. As they travelled further into the cave by poling themselves towards an embankment, they were also astounded by the limestone formations. These formations surrounded them in all shapes and sizes.


Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

They returned many times after and Chief Tane independently discovered the upper level entrance to the cave, which is now the current entrance. Tane Tinorau and his wife Huti, by 1889, had opened the cave to visitors and were leading groups for a small fee. The administration of the cave was taken over by the government in 1906 after there was an escalation in vandalism. In 1910, the Waitomo Caves Hotel was built to house the many visitors.


Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

In 1989, the land and cave were returned to the descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and Huti. They now receive a percentage of the cave’s revenue and are involved in the management and development of the cave. These descendants encompass many of the employees of the caves today.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand


Wikipedia

12 May 2014 09:55:00