"This cave system attracts many visitors with its bizarre karst features, stalactite formations and spectacular glow worm display. The family running tours of the cave are descendents of Chief Kawiti, a hero who fought alongside Hone Heke at Ruapekapeka. The meeting house and marae complex at the caves are his memorial.
"A highlight of the tour is an encounter with a friendly eel, the guardian of the cave. Once inside you’ll discover ‘inner space’ in the glow worm cave. The ceiling of the cave looks like the night sky - each glow worm is a blue-green coloured star. 'Arachnocampa Luminosa' is a glow worm unique to New Zealand. It is the larval stage of a two winged insect that emits light to attract food."
Submitted by SF