Maori Culture

Enter the world of Mitai Māori Village and embrace our history and culture. Watch our stories unfold through the dynamic scenes of our warriors paddling down Wai-o-Whiro stream, the melodious sounds of our instruments and entertainment from our performers including the haka. Satisfy your hunger with the traditional Māori Hangi and concluding your evening with a walk through our forest to see the ancient, fortified village learning the old ways of living and survival of our people and discover the natural resource Te Puna a Tuhoe, freshwater spring. The evening is not over until you glimpse the glow worms light up the banks of forest as the veil of darkness sets in. Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai – come and experience our world…

Ernest Kemp Cruises cruising Lake Taupo for over 30 years. We specialise in visiting the Maori Rock Carvings daily. Enjoy the history of the area and this unique replica steamboat. Friendly skipper and crew offer a live commentary and a colour brochure explaining the meaning of the carvings. Lots of great photo opportunities with viewing and seating both inside and out. Bring a towel in summer months your skipper may decide there is time for a swim in our crystal clear lake. Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Free wifi on board. 4 cruises daily in the summer months, from 90 – 120 minutes. Our popular 5 pm Cocktail Cruise includes a couple of complimentary glasses of wine or beer and pizza, this is all included in the ticket price. Sit back and relax you will have great experience on board Ernest Kemp Cruises.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, its blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū offers 3-hour evening events that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Across summer, Tū Te Rā celebrates an abundant harvest, and we explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. Throughout winter, Tū Te Ihi marks promise heralded by the arrival of the Matariki star cluster which high and bright in winter skies, signalling the new lunar year – we share the energy and passion of this celebration. Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared from the outset – rituals, songs, stories and continue across the night. From the beginning too, we share local, seasonal kai – plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) is followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 3-course fusion feast.

Māori Cultural Experience: Living Taonga Taonga is the Māori word meaning treasure, or something prized. Māori culture is a living taonga of Aotearoa New Zealand. In this immersive experience, be introduced to Māori culture by a group of esteemed indigenous artists and orators. Our Māori Cultural Experience will take you on a journey. You will hear beautiful songs, see incredible poi skills in action and learn about the endurance of Māori people throughout history. Discover the origins, traditional uses, and differences of the well-known and powerful ritual – the haka. This unique, enriching experience is not to be missed if you’re seeking a genuine insight into Māori culture. General Admission Tickets to the Museum are included with this booking.

Our electric yacht is 100% sustainable, emissions and noise free, making it climate safe, and Lake Taupo’s best sailing experience. We have been sailing to the iconic Maori Rock Carvings since 1982! This all-year-round activity offers relaxation, fun and adventure on the water, the Kiwi way. Get right up close to this culturally significant 46 foot (14m) high rock art. Excellent, amusing and current commentary on lake, the volcanics and the carvings. Free refreshments including tea, coffee, hot chocolate and mulled wine (winter only). We are licenced but you are welcome to bring your own. BYO Swimming is encouraged. Sail Barbary is the only boat in Taupo rated 'Qualmark Gold' by Tourism NZ under the 'sustainable business' category.

Experience Maori Culture and Traditions Embark on this journey as you partake in the revelation of the traditional hangi feast and relish for lunch in buffet style. Be a witness to the fierce warriors navigating the war canoe along the tranquil waters of Wai-o-Whiro stream and immerse yourself in rich cultural performances such as Wero, Pōwhiri (Traditional Māori Welcome), Waiata (Song), Mōteatea (traditional chant), Poi, Haka and much more. Embrace nature and explore the echoes of the ancient reconstructed fortified village site unravelling the ways of life of the Māori and the natural spring Te Wai Whakarukuhanga a Atua (The waters of the Gods) also known as Te Puna Tapu o Tuhoe (a famous ancestor and tribe). Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai – come and experience our world…

The All Blacks Experience in Auckland is a guided journey into New Zealand’s unique Māori culture and the spirit of the legendary All Blacks and Black Ferns rugby teams. Perfect for sports fans and newcomers alike, it’s a chance to explore the values of teamwork, respect, and cultural pride that define New Zealanders. Led by an enthusiastic guide, you’ll hear from rugby legends, enjoy interactive games, and feel the energy of a replica changing room. Walk the players' tunnel and witness the powerful haka, a traditional Māori performance symbolizing strength and unity, providing a fascinating connection to the country’s indigenous heritage. More than just the sport of rugby, this experience offers a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s identity and culture. Walk out with pride and a deeper connection to New Zealand.

ALL OUR TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES. From port of Tauranga, taking a shore excursion to Rotorua will give you great insights into New Zealand's rich Maori culture. You will get up close to amazing geothermal hot springs, steamiing fumaroles and bubbling mudpools. You will discover Rotorua's natural thermal phenomena of Geyers and boiling mud. Your Immerse yourself into Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre – the most pristine attraction of its kind in New Zealand – which gives you the WoW factor. You will enjoy a fascinating cultural display including the Haka (war dance). You will get to travel through the North Island’s spectacular countryside of rolling farmland and forestry, alongside Kiwifruit orchards and bathe your feet in pure warm mineral waters which come up from under the ground. There really is something for everybody in this excursion. Much moire than I cna put into words – it is a "must do" excursion to appreciate it all.

Get ready to embark on a journey 13.8 billion years in the making. A treat for the senses, the Dark Sky Experience brings science, Māori astronomy and fascinating multi-media installations together in a ‘Big Bang’ of awe and inspiration. Using incredible immersive visual displays, we explore the science based narrative of how living beings came to be, and delve into the depths of the Milky Way. Get up close with the impressive 125 year old recently restored Brashear telescope. Thought-provoking, educational and entertaining, this journey is sure to change your outlook in the best possible way. A world first – this indoor experience is a must on all itineraries whether you’re staying in Tekapo or just stopping by.

Experience this one-of-a-kind wine tasting with a fascinating Māori culture spin! Learn about Māori history and their experiences of this region while sampling many wonderful wines. Of the wineries listed we will visit 2, if you have a preference please let me know.

Explore Lake Taupo as you kayak to the Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay. You will start your half day tour from the sheltered waters of Acacia Bay before paddling out on the lake below native bush, past steep cliffs and mini inlets that can only harbor a kayak. The experienced guide will explain the carving's cultural significance to the lake and surrounding areas while you float beneath them. On the way back stop for gourmet refreshments and can take the opportunity to swim or go for a rock jumping into the clear waters of the beautiful lake. If the breeze comes up, you can raft your kayaks together and sail back – bliss! Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Departure time is at 8:30am and 1:30pm in summer and 10:00am and 1:30pm in winter from our base in Acacia Bay. Allow approx 4 hours per trip (3 hours on the water). 

Your hosts are a Māori whānau (family) business, steeped in the ancestry of the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty tribes. With education backgrounds, both international and in Aotearoa (NZ), our experiences are based upon real-life experiences, and tailored to value learning outcomes across cultures. Your authentic Māori guide is a storyteller, geared to take you on a journey of cultural discovery, connecting you with culturally signigficant sites, stories, and ancient tribal customs. Feel the presence of our ancestors as we take you on a journey dating back to 925AD. This is not just a window to our culture, you are immersed in it. This is an experience of a life time. In your small van group, your warm friendly and knowledgable guide will ensure you are part of the family by journey’s end. Experiencing our Rotorua/Tauranga Māori cultural tour will provide you with a deep understanding and appreciation of our history. It is a wonderful day of conversation, reflection and learning.

The Wine tour with Maori Culture Queenstown is the only wine tour in Queenstown that connects Maori culture with the local wines and land where you receive the authentic Aotearoa New Zealand experience. You will visit three boutique and more personalised Central Otago wineries in the Queenstown area with approximately 15-20 wine tastings and food to match. This is the only wine tour in Central Otago that offers both the wine experience with the Māori culture footprint. Don't delay, BOOK NOW. There is a minimum of 2 required per tour, if minimum numbers are not met you will be offered another day or time or complete refund.

On this 8-hour tour from Cairns, cruise out to an activity platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of exploring this natural wonder in different ways. Reef Magic's location is selected for its water clarity, coral quality, and diversity of marine life, which you can see while snorkeling or taking a tour by glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel. Learn about the wildlife from on-board marine biologists, and choose to participate in more activities, if you wish, like scuba diving or a helicopter ride (additional expense). All ages and swimming abilities are welcome. Buffet lunch is included as well as morning and afternoon tea.

Visit the authentic Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village in the geothermal region of Rotorua on our full-day excursion which includes a guided tour, cultural concert and a light lunch. A Maori villager will guide you through the village, explaining how they make use of the harsh geothermal environment to their advantage. The famous Pohutu geyser can also be viewed from a safe distance as it erupts naturally during the day. Walk among the natural geothermal springs and steaming lakes, to see how your lunch is cooked in the traditional Hangi method. You will also enjoy a 30-minute Maori cultural performance of singing, dancing and warrior demonstrations, including the famous Haka. You tour also includes visits to Rotorua Government Gardens and other highlights of Rotorua, passing by 2 beautiful lakes, forests, kiwifruit orchards and the stunning coastline and beaches of Mount Maunganui. Please note that the tour start time will be confirmed when your booking is accepted.

The Māori Whakataū is a welcome to New Zealand by the indigenous culture of NZ. The Whakataū embraces key aspects of welcoming manuhiri/visitors to New Zealand and making sure you get an authentic connection to the people of this wonderful land and more specifically here in Wanaka and Queenstown. The scenery is one small part of what makes this country so great, to truely connect with any country you must also connect with the people that make the country what it is. Welcome to the world of WanaHaka® in Wanaka and Queenstown. There is a minimum of 4 required per Whakataū if minimum numbers are not met you will be offered another day or time or complete refund.

The Wine tour with Maori Culture Wanaka is the only wine tour in Wanaka and Cromwell that connects Maori culture with the local wines and land where you receive the authentic New Zealand experience. You will visit four boutique and more personalised Central Otago wineries in the Wanaka, Tarras and Cromwell area with approximately 18-22 wine tastings and food. This is the only wine tour in Central Otago that offers both the wine experience with the Māori culture footprint. Don't delay, BOOK NOW. There is a minimum of 2 required per tour, if minimum numbers are not met you will be offered another day or time or complete refund.

Travel Ed is a Māori whānau (family) operator, steeped in the ancestry of the Tauranga tribal area. With education backgrounds, both international and in Aotearoa (NZ), our experiences are based upon real-life experiences, and tailored to value learning outcomes across cultures. Your authentic Māori guide is a storyteller, who will take you on a journey of cultural discovery, connecting you with significant sites, stories, and ancient tribal customs. Feel the presence of our ancestors as we take you on a journey dating back to 925AD. This is not just a window to our culture, it's an immersion. Travel Ed is an experience of a life time. In your small intimate group your warm friendly and knowledgable guide will ensure you are part of the family by journey’s end. Experiencing our Tauranga Māori cultural tour will provide you with a deep understanding and appreciation of our history. It is a wonderful day of conversation, reflection and learning. Minimum of 3 passengers to operate.

Kahukiwi Experiences Phase One is a 3-hour, fully-guided, Māori cultural tour into the heart of Mourea, Ngāti Pikiao.  Guided by a vibrant, passionate guide, guests explore the stunning environment by luxury 4WD, stopping regularly to soak up the views, hear the stories and gain a deeper insight into the cultural and historical significance of this part of Rotorua. Feel the warm, welcoming embrace of Māori culture and discover the true essence of Aotearoa (New Zealand). • Intimate Māori experience in Rotorua • Pick-up and drop off in a luxurious Range Rover Discovery vehicle (from Rotorua accommodation) • Light refreshments • Fun and educational • Perfect for all ages (6+) – Children under 15 must be accompanied by a responsible adult • Suitable for all levels of physical ability

Spend an afternoon exploring New Zealand’s Maori culture with a guided tour of Te Puia and visit the beautiful lakes district. You will learn about Maori customs, traditions, history and protocols new and old, with a guided visit to Te Puia, Rotorua's premier cultural centre. See Kiwi birds, geysers, mudpools and much more. Visit the Blue and Green crater lakes and visit the Mt Tarawera volcano and lake. Learn of its history and the 1886 eruption.