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Mt Tarawera is a mountain in a very active volcanic area of New Zealand, near to Rotorua. The last time that area had had an eruption was over 500 years beforehand, before the Maori had come to New Zealand. In all the time people had lived nearby, nothing had ever happened to it, and no-one thought it might one day erupt. |
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When Maori people first arrived in New Zealand, they came in seven canoes. One canoe Arawa, founded the Te Arawa tribe, who quickly made this area their home and set up many small villages. |
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In 1843, the first Europeans settled here. They opened a school, and some shops, and even a hotel where visitors could stay. |
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