Haere mai (welcome) to the birthplace of Māori tourism.
Rotorua is the best place in New Zealand to experience the traditional customs, practices and beliefs of our indigenous Māori people.
Awe-inspiring and authentic, Māori cultural tours and performances provide a special view into the historic lifestyle, traditions, mythology, art, entertainment and more of Māori past and present. Watch a spine-tingling traditional pōhiri (welcoming ceremony), hear the hauntingly beautiful call of the kuia (female elder), learn to dance with poi or perform the haka. Watch as your dinner is pulled from a traditional hāngī (steam-cooked meal) straight out of the ground.
Guided walking tours through a historic living Māori village give you personal insight and history of the people who’ve inhabited this geothermal area for more than 200 years. Today nearly two dozen families live in this village and continue to utilise the same geothermal resource as their ancestors.
Bespoke half-day tours of historic locations throughout Rotorua provide in-depth lifestyle, history and mythology lessons.
No matter the options you choose, you’ll be richer for the experience.
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Whirinaki Forest Footsteps
Māori Culture, South
A majestic, ancient and spiritual realm. Whirinaki Forest Footsteps is a guided cultural walking tour into the heart of a vast, Jurassic, podocarp native rain forest less than an hour from Rotorua. Hear stories from our Māori guides, as you embark on a healing journey full of discovery.
Kahukiwi Experiences 4WD Culture Tour
Māori Culture, Central
Based in the sacred Te Takinga Marae in Rotorua, Kahukiwi Experiences offers a never-before-seen window into the landscapes, ways of life and heritage of the Ngāti Pikiao tribe. Discover the true essence of Aotearoa – discover Kahukiwi.
Puawai Jade
Māori Culture
Puawai Jade is a pounamu/greenstone carving workshop and gallery showcasing a range of beautiful jewellery, carvings and artefacts that are all made on site.
Geyser By Night at Te Puia
Māori Culture
When darkness falls, the true love story of the city's geothermal wonderland comes to life.
Mountain Jade
Māori Culture, Central
Discover the art of carving jade during a guided tour of a greenstone studio. Meet local artists as they craft jade by hand, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a carving workshop.
Ahu Boutique - Adrienne Whitewood
Māori Culture, Central
Inspired by Māori art and culture, Adrienne Whitewood takes traditional concepts and invents unique silhouettes exploring fabric manipulation and technology. Her ethos is about creating wearable clothing for women who want an emotional connection to what they're wearing. All designed right here in Rotorua.
Whakarewarewa - The Living Māori Village
Māori Culture
Home of the Tuhourangi and Ngāti Wahiao people and located on a geothermal plateau, Whakarewarewa Village is New Zealand’s oldest continuous Māori tourism experience, even pre-dating the world-famous Pink and White Terraces.
Te Puia
Māori Culture
Discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands and Māori cultural centres.
Te Pā Tū
Māori Culture
Journey into the heart of Māori culture, an experience you will never forget!
Rotorua Museum: Outside the Walls Historical Government Gardens Tours
Māori Culture
Discover Rotorua's rich culture, volatile landscape and legendary figures in this must-do FREE tour around the famous Rotorua Museum and Government Gardens.
Ōhinemutu Māori Village
Māori Culture
Connect with the culture, people, history and landscape that have made Rotorua the incredible place it is today.
Mitai Māori Village
Māori Culture
By entering the world of Mitai Māori Village you will embrace the history and culture of our people through the migration story of our ancestors, the Ngāti Ohomairangi people who voyaged across the Pacific Ocean more than 2,000 years ago and arrived in New Zealand.