At Te Puia, masters teach students from around the country how to carve from wood, stone, and bone; how to weave; and how to dotā moko (traditional Maori tattoo). Also here, local Maori share their taonga (cultural treasures) with the world, and visitors can enter beautifully carved buildings and experience Pikirangi, a model village displaying how Maori lived centuries ago. Surrounding the site is the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, home to mud pools and geysers, including the reliable Pohutu Geyser.
You can explore independently or book a guided tour. The day tour (Te Rā) walks you through the institute where students are at work, introduces you to the endangered native kiwi that are bred and protected here, and visits the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. On the night tour (Te Pō), enjoy a meal cooked in a traditional hangi (underground oven), sail around Te Whakarewarewa, and thrill at a powerful performance of Maori dance, song, and more.