Rotorua Cultural

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…

Nowhere else in the world can you soar through an untouched New Zealand Forest and become a part of a conservation success story all in one! Since James and Andrew opened our doors in 2012, we have been working hard to preserve one of New Zealand’s most unique and untouched forests. We created this experience to transport you into a Jurassic world, showcasing New Zealand’s unique plants and wildlife. You help this project; your entry contributes back to our conservation efforts to save this ancient world. Thank you for your support! You will be part of a small group (maximum 10 per group) with two of our knowledgeable kiwi guides who will delight you, making sure you safely enjoy every moment. Ask as many questions as you'd like and capture the moments with pictures and videos (although we have free photos of your experience for you after the tour). There’s good reason we have been named the best nature activity in the world! – come and see for yourself!

Call 0800 737768 for weekend bookings. Secret Spot Hot Tubs is a stone’s throw from Rotorua, hidden in the heart of New Zealand’s mountain biking mecca, the Waipa Valley. Discover your own secret spot in the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest after your day’s adventures. You’ll find a place with great atmosphere and a warm welcome, where everything is beautifully handcrafted, from the western red cedar hot tubs to the craft beer and artisan coffee! Secret Spot has 12 hot tubs that are situated along the edge of the forest, overlooking the Puarenga Stream, and each hot tub is perfect for any group of friends or family up to 6 people. You can also explore our unique café and bar set in a forest oasis with native plantings – we have smooth manuka-roasted coffee, Good George craft beer and cider, and Mills Reef wine. Have a bite to eat, play lawn games and enjoy our outdoor campfires, or unwind with a Shinny Dip foot hot tub, free with any drinks purchase.

Experience the natural wonders, Māori culture and hidden gems of Rotorua with this customisable small group day tour! Choose 2 optional activities: marvel at the stunning geothermal wonders of Wai-O-Tapu in the morning and immerse yourself in Māori culture at Te Puia in the afternoon. Alternatively, explore the vibrant hot pools of Wai-O-Tapu in the morning and unwind at the renowned Polynesian Spa in the afternoon. Highlights: • Fully-guided small group day tour from Auckland • Customisable tour with choice of 2 optional activities in Rotorua • Led by passionate guides known for their rich storytelling and extensive knowledge • Enjoy breathtaking views of the iconic Lake Rotorua • Visit the beautiful Government Gardens • Visit the historic Blue Baths bathing complex • Discover the natural hot spring, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) • Learn about the area's rich history and culture at Rotorua Museum • Premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans, equipped for your comfort and safety

***ALL OUR TOURS START & END TO FIT THE CRUISE SHIPS' ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES*** Rotorua is the 2nd most visited city in New Zealand by all tourists. As you only have a small window of opportunity to visit we have created an itinerary to showcase some of what we think makes this place so special. The two main interests which make people visit is Maori Culture & Geothermal Activity. This tour showcases the area where your ship is docked (Mount Maunganui) before we depart for the city of Rotorua. Enroute we showcase all which creates the namesake of the Bay of Plenty. Arriving at Rotorua's only Living Maori Village of its kind – Whakarewarewa – you will receive a traditional welcome and invited by a local to join them on a guided tour of this unique place. A village which lives on top of an active geothermal valley and has learnt to harness the powers of mother nature to aid their daily living needs for 100's of year. See geysers, steaming fumaroles , bubbling hot pools and much more.

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.

Visit Te Puia home of the famous Pohutu Geyser. The largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. Your guide will take you on a tour of the natural bush, geysers and mud pools with a remarkable walk along the Te Whakarewarewa geyser terrace.

Standard tour times 10:00am – 4:00pm (we will confirm with you prior). On arrival into Port of Tauranga, a day of sightseeing, story telling & cultural connection awaits… ​ Bound for Rotorua (appx 1.5hr), enjoy an array of our all inclusive snacks & bottled water, sit back and take in the many beautiful scenic views. We begin with a visit to the Government Gardens, you'll see the Whangapipiro Rachel Pool known for its therapeutic water. Come face to face with the big Californian Redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest, over 55,000 hectares. Take a walk at Kuirau Park, discover hissing, roaring & bubbling geothermal activity. Take off your shoes & enjoy a warm foot spa in one of the foot pools (towels provided). Next stop Lake Tarawera, meaning burnt spear, one of the largest lakes in New Zealand. Time permitting, we may stop at Te Puia for souvenir shopping. On our journey back to your ship, sit back and enjoy the memories you made while you were exploring “our backyard”.

Enjoy a spectacular tour with our experienced guides and learn about the history of our Spirit Mountain, Mount Ngongotaha.  Our guides are passionate about the environment, Rotorua and Maori history, culture & legends associated with the mountain.  Your tour takes you over 100 year old forestry trails through the spectacular New Zealand native bush.  The tour takes approximately 1 hour with the highlight being able to reach the highest lookout in Rotorua with spectacular views over Lake Rotorua.

Experience New Zealand’s one and only cliff walk, built around a volcanic rock 50-metres above the valley floor. Soar down a 400m tandem Zip-line and race your loved ones. Climb up through the layers of the canopy on our staircases that are truly an amazing engineering feat. This adventure is the ultimate way to explore the ancient giants and lifeforms in this forest that you can’t see anywhere else in the world! Since we opened in 2012 we have been protecting this special place and when you come along, you will be too! A portion of your entry goes straight back to our conservation project to help us continue to rescue and look after this magic place. We take photos for you and they are FREE after your tour via an email link. You are welcome to take as many videos and photos as you like too – you’ll be wanting to share this experience with everyone!

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.

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.

Experience the world famous geothermal and Maori cultural wonders of Te Puia. This unforgettable tour combines natures power and beauty with Maori culture all in one day. Highlights: • Te Puia Geothermal Park & Pohutu • Maori Cultural Village and Arts School • Rotorua City Highlights • Waikato Farm Region While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it’s our small groups, guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. This day tour gives you the time to explore Te Puia fully and participate in the activities there, unlike many other tours. Led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

The tour departs daily between 8:00-8:30 am. from your accommodation and drives you through forestry and farmland to New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool. Your guide shows you a series of colorful hot springs and volcanic features at Wai-O-Tapu. Then see the Lady Knox geyser eruption at 10:15 am. Next a short drive to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley where your guide explains the Mt. Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush-covered, geothermal park. Spend the afternoon experiencing Rotorua’s Maori culture and geothermal activity and see how they are intricately entwined. First, a guided tour through Te Puia, Rotorua’s premier cultural attraction. This includes a visit to the wood carving school, art and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving display, kiwi house and finally the Pohutu geyser. Next, we visit the Lakefront area to see the Maori War Canoe and learn more about Maori history and customs.

Created by the violent Volcanic Eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 Immerse yourself amongst the rare and unusual plants that grow on the hot earths of Waimangu, amongst the regenerating native Forests. Self Guided Walk that suits all fitness abilities. Enjoy views of the mysterious and beautiful Inferno Crater which rises and falls as it heats and cools. Home to Frying Pan Lake, one of the largest hot water springs in the World, the delicate sinter terraces growing from minerals solidifying

Choose FlexiToursNZ for a premium tour. We put less seats in our vehicles than factory standard and only 3 seats in the back row. Pay a little more to be comfortable. This tour involves a lot of driving and is more enjoyable if you are comfortable and not crushed up against other people on the vehicle. We keep the groups small with no more than 12 people on our vehicle, meaning our drivers can and will give you, personal service. Check out our reviews to see what customers say about us, our vehicles and our team of experienced and enthusiastic drivers. All meals provided on the tour are prepared in a professional kitchen and are normally served in a restaurant or café. Very occasionally Meals may be served picnic style Due to low numbers and sustained losses caused by Covid 19, until further notice we will need a minimum of 4 people (or price equivalent) to run tours.

An independent four-day tour package departing Auckland daily with three nights 4 to 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua and Wellington. Get the most out of this unique opportunity by marvelling at the shimmering lights of tiny glow worms during a magical subterranean experience at the Waitomo Caves and then enjoy a trip to the Hobbiton Movie Set. On Day 2 take in Rotorua’s impressive geysers, bubbling mud pools, and cultural Maori performances at Te Puia. and a sightseeing tour of Wellington on your final day. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.

This tour ticks all the boxes. If you only have one day to see the unique and special part of New Zealand then this tour is a great option. The tour is informative and fun, and our knowledgeable guides will provide a day of exciting discovery as you journey into the heartland of the North Island. We will visit places the big coaches do not go to and tell you the stories and legends of the land.  • Native bush and lush countryside • Geothermal wonders – Geysers, boiling mudpools, bubbling hot springs and steaming sulphur vents • Stunning volcanic lakes and crystal clear streams • Visit the Maori arts and crafts institute and see a cultural performance including the famous Haka • New Zealand's iconic Kiwi bird

Start your Rotorua adventure with an unforgettable visit to a Māori village, where you'll be fully immersed in the vibrant culture and awe-inspiring geothermal wonders. Engage with the local community, experience traditional performances, and explore the unique landscape of bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers. After this enriching cultural experience, the afternoon is yours to tailor to your interests. Choose from a variety of exciting activities, such as relaxing in natural geothermal spas, exploring the colorful geothermal marvels of Wai-O-Tapu (additional 30km from Rotorua), or taking a serene walk through the majestic Redwoods Forest. Whatever your preference, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and personalized adventure. Please note that due to time constraints, only one additional activity can be selected for the afternoon.

Visit the top two destinations in New Zealand in one amazing day trip! Experience the real Middle-earth in a 2.5 hour fully guided tour inside the Hobbiton Movie Set, take photo's inside The Hobbit Holes & taste the locally brewed cider or beer in The Green Dragon Inn. Then head to Rotorua where you will visit Te Puia & Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, where you'll come face to face with the largest Geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, jumping mudpools, and live kiwi birds, and hear our Maori guides share stories passed down from their ancestors.