Waitomo Glowworm Caves

[2] By 1889 Tane Tinorau and his wife Huti had opened the cave to visitors and were leading groups for a small fee.

[4][failed verification] The descendants receive a percentage of the cave’s revenue and are involved in its management and development under the 1990 Waitomo Deed of Settlement.

The limestone formation in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occurred when the region was still under the ocean about 30 million years ago.

[5] The limestone is composed of fossilized corals, seashells, fish skeletons, and many small marine organisms on the sea beds.

The caves began to form when earth movement caused the hard limestone to bend and buckle under the ocean and rise above the sea floor.

As the rock was exposed to air, it separated and created cracks and weaknesses that allowed for water to flow through them dissolving the limestone and over millions of years large caves were formed.

The stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations grew from water dripping from the ceiling or flowing over the walls and leaving behind limestone deposits.

This includes albino cave ants and giant crickets but the most renowned is the glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa.

However, there are several small underground lakes that were created by freshwater creeks or brooks which are home to New Zealand longfin eels.

From here it may be possible to link back to the upper level to see the largest formation called the Pipe Organ but on busy days this area is closed to the public because the build-up of carbon dioxide may be hazardous.

[7] The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located in the Northern King Country region[8] of the North Island of New Zealand, 12 km northwest of Te Kūiti.