Ruakuri Cave

Ruakuri Cave is one of the longer caves in the Waitomo area of New Zealand. It was first discovered by local Māori between 400 and 500 years ago. The name Te Ruakuri, or "The Den of Dogs" (as it is referred to by the local hapū) was given to the surrounding area when wild dogs were discovered living in the entrance of the cave.

One of the cave entrances was used by Māori as an urupā or burial site. As a sacred area it is no longer used for tourism; however, it is now accessed by a spiral drum entrance built some distance away from the tapu (sacred) site where tours now run since 2005.

Ruakuri is the only wheelchair-accessible cave in the Southern Hemisphere. It is well known for its spiritual links to Māori and its unusual limestone formations and caverns.

Major features of the Ruakuri Cave include Holdens Cavern (named after James Holden who first opened the cave to the public), The Drum Passage, The Pretties and The Ghost Passage.

The cave was open to the public from 1904 until 1988, when it was closed due to a legal and financial dispute. It was reopened in 2005.

Inside there is a dynamic natural environment, with glowworms, limestone formations, underground rivers, and hidden waterfalls.