Artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell created the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings in the late 1970s. The images were carved by hand into the cliffs over Lake Taupo using traditional Maori techniques. Matahi and a team of four assistants completed the work over four summers. The centerpiece of the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings depicts the tattooed face of Ngatoroirangi, the legendary navigator who guided the Maori tribes of Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa to the Taupo region more than a thousand years ago. Additional Celtic sculptures show other local Maori tupuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians).

The more than 33-foot (10-meter) tall artwork can only be viewed from the water, so the best way to visit is by boat from nearby Taupo.

The crew members are more than just sailors. They’re local storytellers, conservationists, and passionate advocates for Lake Taupō. Whether you’re visiting the Māori Rock Carvings, learning how to trim a sail, or just relaxing on deck, the crew is there to guide, inform, and make your experience unforgettable.