Ngongotahā Valley

{{short description|Rural locality in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Ngongotahā Valley

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| settlement_type = Rural locality

| image_skyline = ChairliftRotoruaNZ20100111-1.JPG

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Chairlifts and gondolas ascending Mount Ngongotahā

| etymology =

| nickname =

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-38.123|176.145}}|zoom=9}}

| coordinates = {{coord|-38.123|176.145|region:NZ-BOP_type:city|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = New Zealand

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = Bay of Plenty

| subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority

| subdivision_name2 = Rotorua Lakes District

| subdivision_type3 = Ward

| subdivision_name3 = Rotorua Rural General Ward

| subdivision_type4 = Community

| subdivision_name4 = Rotorua Rural Community

| leader_title = Territorial authority

| leader_name = Rotorua Lakes Council

| leader_title1 = Regional council

| leader_name1 = Bay of Plenty Regional Council

| seat_type = Electorates

| seat = {{ubl|Rotorua|Waiariki (Māori)}}

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 = 177.50

| elevation_m =

| population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}

| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}

| population_total = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ngongotaha Valley|y}}

| population_density_km2 = auto

| postal_code_type = Postcode(s)

| postal_code = 3072

| website =

}}

Ngongotahā Valley is a valley formed by the Ngongotahā Stream west of Rotorua, in New Zealand. Springs on the stream were landscaped in 1939 and promoted as Paradise Valley Springs, and the main road into the valley is Paradise Valley Road.{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|title='Volcanic Plateau places - Ngongotahā and district|first=Malcolm|last=McKinnon|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-places/page-1|date=25 May 2015}}

Mount Ngongotahā has a peak at 757 metres.{{cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-38.117947,176.174741&z=14|title=Mount Ngongotahā Reserve|publisher=NZ Topo Map}} A gondola / luge ride operates on the side of the mountain.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/skyline-rotorua-celebrates-30-years/TW6MXCS46SQ2D7ZZSHCLDPQSD4/|title=Skyline Rotorua celebrates 30 years|newspaper=Rotorua Daily Post|date=9 March 2015|first=Matthew|last=Martin}} The springs are still operating, and now include a wildlife park.{{cite web|url=https://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com/paradise-valley-rotorua.html|title=Paradise Valley Springs, Rotorua|publisher=Rotorua Travel Secrets|accessdate=14 December 2020}} Another visitor attraction on the slopes of Mount Ngongotahā is the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre. It is a captive breeding facility and visitor centre located in the Ngongotahā Valley. Wingspan undertakes conservation, education and research activities related to birds of prey found in New Zealand, and provides demonstrations of falconry.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Shauni |date=25 March 2022 |title=Wingspan continues to soar to new heights |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/wingspan-national-bird-of-prey-centre-soaring-into-30th-anniversary/CURKZFXHNQCRZL5DENPYEQGK7M/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

The stream is prone to flooding{{cite web|url=https://www.landcare.org.nz/our-stories-item/rotoruas-paradise-valley|title=Rotorua's Paradise Valley|publisher=Landcare Research|accessdate=14 December 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/103483318/ngongotaha-valley-farmers-rescued-after-rescue-attempt-goes-wrong|publisher=Stuff |date=30 April 2018|title=Ngongotahā Valley farmers rescued after rescue attempt goes wrong|first=Gerald|last=Piddock}} but a joint project by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council to reduce the risk of future floods is ongoing.{{cite web|url=https://letstalk.rotorualakescouncil.nz/Community-Reference-Group-for-the-Ngongotaha-Flood-Mitigation-Options|title=Ngongotahā Flood Review Project|publisher=Rotorua Lakes Council|date=14 December 2020}}