Become immersed in the Māori world, a world where space and light co-exist. Our unique tours will allow you to connect with the Māori culture your way. We welcome you once, we welcome you twice, aa Tihei MauriOra!
Please contact us about private tour availability.
You will have you own Māori guide and private vehicle to take you on a journey into the Māori world.
Our first stop takes us to a Māori reservation. Your guide will begin to tell you about our Sky Father and Earth Mother and the connection Māori has with nature. Here you will also learn about some flora and fauna that has spiritual and medicinal purposes.
A short stroll down the road will take us to a traditional Māori village. Learn how the stories of old have been recorded in the carved meeting house and the importance of genealogy or family
tree. Visit the site of New Zealand’s own love story, Hinemoa & Tūtānekai.
Our next stop is the bastion of Māori culture, our spiritual meeting grounds, a Marae. The marae holds great significance for the Māori people as it is a place of gathering, sharing knowledge and farewelling our loved ones. You will receive a warm welcome inside the meeting house and experience Māori protocols first-hand. Learn about the Māori world in a traditional setting.
Lunch is held in the Café at Te Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village and includes a Hangi Meal & coffee. The meat and vegetables from the pie are cooked in the geothermal steam.
After lunch, your guide will take you on a private guided tour throughout the Village. Listen to your guide share the story of the Pink and White Terraces, known as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and how the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 shaped the Māori people of Tuhourangi/Ngāti Wahiao who live in the Village. Discover a way of life nestled amongst a geothermal valley and experience steam vents, bubbling hot pools and Pōhutu Geyser, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere!
We finish our time off together with a prayer at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa or at location of pick up.