En route from Auckland to Wellington, Spivakovsky visited the geothermally active tourist destination Rotorua. Here his official guide was the esteemed Maori tribal leader Rangi, who would guide Queen Elizabeth II during her royal visit in 1954. As reported by Sporting Life: "At Rotorua the natives gave him a great reception and showed their arohanui by presenting him with several souvenirs, including a large and valuable tiki made from langlwai greenstone. Then they danced the haka and poi. Mr. Spivakovsky, at their request, played ragtime and jazz for two hours. The delighted Maoris surrounded the piano and sang to the artist’s accompaniment."