04/04/2025

FRIDAY | APR 4, 2025

22

LYFE

N EW ZEALAND is calling, and for the first time ever, you can explore it like never before – first in Minecraft , then in real life. In a collaboration between Tourism New Zealand, Warner Bros Pictures and Mojang Studios, a new Aotearoa New Zealand Minecraft DLC (downloadable content) has transformed six of the country’s most breathtaking locations into an interactive adventure. Whether it is rafting through glowworm-lit caves, spotting rare birds on a predator-free island or paddling a traditional Maori waka along golden coastlines, this world-first destination DLC allows players to experience the wonders of New Zealand in-game – before taking that next step to visit them in real life. Explore the six iconic locations – both in Minecraft and in real life: 1. Waitomo Caves (Waikato) – Glowworms and underground thrills The word “Waitomo” comes from the Maori words wai (water) and tomo (hole), describing the caves’ underground rivers that flow beneath the limestone landscape. Minecraft experience: 0 Navigate a 2D platform-style cave parkour run. 0 Take photos of stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and glowworm constellations. 0 Finish with a black water rafting experience, floating through an illuminated underground river. Real-life adventure: 0 Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour: Embark on a guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, marvelling at thousands of glowworms that create a starry underground sky. 0 Ruakuri Cave exploration: Discover the intricate limestone formations and underground waterfalls of Ruakuri Cave, accessible via a unique spiral entrance. 0 Black-water rafting: For thrill-seekers, experience black-water rafting through subterranean rivers, navigating through a labyrinth of caves illuminated by glowworms. 2. Rotorua (Bay of Plenty) – Geothermal wonders and Maori culture Rotorua is home to the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pohutu, which erupts up to 20 times a day! Minecraft experience: 0 Run through bubbling geothermal pools and erupting geysers while collecting items. 0 Watch a once-dormant geyser explode into life as you explore. 0 Maori pou (carved posts) tell Maori stories about the land along the walking paths. Real-life adventure: 0 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Explore the vibrant geothermal features of Wai-O-Tapu, including the Champagne Pool and Artist’s Palette, showcasing a spectrum of colours due to mineral deposits. 0 Te Puia: Visit Te Puia to experience Maori culture, including traditional carving and weaving, and observe the famous Pohutu Geyser. 0 White-water rafting at Tutea Falls: Drop down the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall! This 7m drop is an adrenaline-pumping experience that makes Rotorua a top global rafting destination. 3. Kapiti Island (Wellington) – New Zealand’s ultimate wildlife sanctuary Kapiti Island is home to over 1,200 little spotted

From pixels to paradise o Play New Zealand in Minecraft , then visit for real

People paddling a waka near Split Apple Rock.

0 Each location features a telescope challenge, where players must align their scope to find constellations. 0 The Dark Sky Project building offers high resolution imagery of real Tekapo night skies. Real-life adventure: 0 4WD adventures: Explore the Mackenzie high country, home to alpine lakes and breathtaking mountain views. 0 Mount John Observatory: Join a stargazing tour, where you can observe planets, galaxies and shooting stars through high-powered telescopes. 0 Tekapo Springs: Soak in natural hot pools under the night sky for a truly magical experience. 6. Doubtful Sound – Hidden Fiordland treasure Doubtful Sound is known as the “Sound of Silence”– it is so remote that there are no towns, roads or phone signal, just pure wilderness. Minecraft experience: 0 Players skipper a boat from a top-down perspective, navigating around rocks, dolphin pods and seals. 0 At special points of interest, the game shifts to a first-person view, allowing players to photograph the fiords’ dramatic landscapes. 0 The adventure ends in a breathtaking cutscene, where Paikea , the legendary whale rider, appears on the back of a whale. Real-life adventure: 0 Fiordland cruise: Explore 40km of dramatic cliffs, mirror-like waters and cascading waterfalls. 0 Wildlife encounters: Spot bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins.

A seal rests at Abel Tasman.

Kayaking in Torrent Bay at Abel National Park.

kiwis, making it one of the best places in the world to see them in the wild! Minecraft experience: 0 Players begin in Okupe, searching for native bird species such as the tui, kereru and the rare kokako. 0 Some birds will be harder to find, requiring players to adjust the time of day by resting in their hut. Real-life adventure: 0 Kapiti Island Nature Reserve: Take a guided tour and spot rare native birds such as the kaka, hihi, and takahe. 0 Maori heritage: Learn from Kapiti Island’s mana whenua (traditional land guardians) about the island’s rich history and conservation efforts. 4. Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman) – Golden beaches and waka journeys Abel Tasman is home to the clearest waters in New Zealand – Waikoropup Springs has visibility as clear as distilled water! Minecraft experience: 0 Players paddle a waka tuarua (double-hulled canoe) through Rakauroa, navigating seal colonies, orca pods and penguin spots.

0 A haka rhythm game tests their skills in Maori traditions. 0 The journey ends in a stunning cutscene, flying over Waikoropup Springs, where Huriwai , a Mareikura (spiritual being), shimmers on the waters. Real-life adventure: 0 Sea kayaking: Paddle through golden beaches and turquoise waters, encountering fur seals, dolphins and blue penguins. 0 Abel Tasman Coast Track: Hike one of New Zealand’s great walks, passing stunning beaches only accessible by foot or boat. 0 Waka tours: Join a guided waka journey, learning about Maori paddling traditions and legends. 5. Takapo/Tekapo (Mackenzie) – The world’s best stargazing spot Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest dark sky reserves in the world, where you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye! Minecraft experience: 0 Players drive a 4WD up Cass Valley, reaching different mountaintop observatories.

Mount John Observatory.

A vessel sails through Doubtful Sound.

Tekapo Springs.