While in Rotorua, see a cultural performance and take part in a 3-course seasonal fusion feast at Te Pā Tū, featuring lesser-known delicacies. A local guide escorts you by coach to the “marae” (Māori village) for an immersive evening that begins with a welcome ceremony by New Zealand's Indigenous people. Learn about local customs based on the Māori lunar calendar and watch a powerful display of song and dance.

An immersive cultural experience in a heartland of Māori culture
Includes a 3-course fusion dinner and return transfers from Rotorua
Experience Māori customs and traditions including a welcome ceremony and haka
Ideal for travelers interested in local culture

What's Included

Māori Cultural Performance
Māori fusion feast
Air-conditioned vehicle
Return transport from central Meeting Point
Traditional welcome ceremony

Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

If you are staying at a major hotel in Rotorua we will pick you up from the main reception area. Please note that you must be an inhouse guest of the accommodation. If you are not, please meet at our TE PA TU Gathering Place, 1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua, and we will take you to our village from here. From 5pm, there is plenty of parking available and it is free. Do you have any dietary requirements we need to know about? What country are you from? - please call us on +64 7 3492999 or email us at bookings@maoriculture.co.nz to let us know, and to also reconfirm your details.

What To Expect

Hear an eerie cry of welcome before you enter Te Pā Tū, and experience the powhiri (welcome ceremony) by a proud descendent of New Zealand’s ancient warriors.

During this 4-hour experience you'll feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal “kai” (cuisine) within the forest “pā” (village). You will be blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheater whilst you learn about the Māori lunar calendar and how the seasons played an integral role in their lives.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Camera and Video usage is permitted throughout the entire evening experience.
Wheelchair accessible
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark

Stroller accessible
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Courtney_C

Amazing opportunity to be invited to learn more about Maori culture. The performances were amazing! Food was delicious - they’re conscious about food allergies- just make sure to confirm with each dish as it comes out!

Reviews

4.5

1,143 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 1,143 reviews

great experience

avriljune_s, Apr 2024

really enjoyed the activities and be able to participate. the content of the experience was fabulous..the campfires were a bonus

Great learning experience

Marina_Y, Apr 2024

We love the performance and the group activities. We learned a lot about the Maori culture. Definitely recommend the experience to anyone who visit New Zealand.

Highly recommend Māori cultural experience

Courtney_C, Apr 2024

Special time in Maori village

Leana_C, Apr 2024

My husband and did this tour with a Kiwi friend of ours and it was the only one of it's kind on our whole trip. We thought it was very special to be taught a part of Maori culture and everything from the food to the guides to the music made this a truly unique experiences we will never forget.

Must do! The way they...

Dai_B, Apr 2024

Must do! The way they teach you about their culture while making you a part of it is really cool. The performances are amazing, the food is excellent. Definitely an unforgettable experience and a highlight of our trip.

A highly recommended cultural evening!

Stuart_F, Apr 2024

On a cold , wet and miserable evening, the welcome we received, and the campfires burning made us feel very welcome. The warriors and maidens took time to explain about Maori village life, and then treated us to their skills and songs, and how they are keeping their traditions alive. After the show, we joined them in the dining room for an excellent meal of traditional foods together with some international favourites. The warm welcome and hospitality made us forget about the poor weather. A must for anyone in the area!

Wonderful experience

Christine_P, Apr 2024

Beautiful and powerful singing. The family really seemed to enjoy performing with each other. It was wonderful to see younger generations getting involved and continuing their cultural traditions.

Wonderful experience!

Julie_N, Mar 2024

Breadth of coverage, variety of entertainment. Great singers! Food could use a little work, especially keeping food warm

Brilliant experience- we loved it!

Freya_J, Mar 2024

This was just the most incredible evening! Really well organised with an excellent coach transfer service from the Gathering Place. On arrival, we experienced the traditional greeting ceremony at the gate which was amazing to see. Once inside the village you really get to appreciate the wonderful setting. We proceeded to learn about different aspects of Māori culture and everyone involved was really charismatic; you could see how passionate they were about sharing their culture with us. The dinner at the end was completely unexpected but absolutely fabulous! We all had the best time and would highly recommend!

Terrible experience - overacting by the actors and flavorless food.

Sanjeev_M, Mar 2024

Not a good experience. The characters seemed too artificial and did not do justice to the true Māori culture. The dinner was tasteless, and flavorless. Very disappointing. I am asking for a partial refund.

Kia ora

Lydia_W, Mar 2024

It was a great experience 🫶 We heared a lot about Maori tratition, we could feel how familiar they are, we enjoied it so much. Thanks to Uncle Hemi and our Chief Chris.

A Fabulous Cultural experience

Cathy_S, Mar 2024

This was an awesome cultural experience. The performances were great and engaging the audience was so creative and memorable. It was great to see the next generation of Maori committed to teaching visitors about their culture. The dinner following the performances was also very delicious, including the appetizers served during the learning events. All so professionally done. Well worth the experience.

Highly recommend coming

Samantha_C, Mar 2024

Lovely people, informative night, friendly atmosphere, learnt a lot more about the Māori culture would definitely recommend doing this when you come to visit Rotorua

Great experience - but don’t rely on bus pick up

Annette_S, Mar 2024

The experience from the ‘learning’ onwards was fantastic… the learning- interactive, the show - entertaining and the meal amazing! The dampener for me was the shuttle bus going past and leaving us (and two other couples behind). Note … we were told that we had missed the bus! Totally incorrect from 3 seperate groups of people. After chasing this up they sent a shuttle bus, however we then missed one of the key features I anted to see - the Māori welcome ceremony- for what we paid, missing this was unacceptable. I mean they could have delayed for 5 minutes with the knowledge we were on our way late - due to their error.

Unique Hangi Experience

Lauren_L, Mar 2024

I loved that they taught us the Haka, poi and stick games. I wished the performance was longer. The food was OK but very meat-based and not for picky eaters. I would have enjoyed everything without the meal just fine but so glad we did this.

Kaiser Family Fun

Ryan_K, Mar 2024

Amazing best cultural experience I’ve ever had, everyone is very welcoming. Loads of fun, would tell anyone traveling to stop here, it’s a must have experience.

Excellent time, wonderful experience

Christine_F, Mar 2024

We enjoyed the experience from start to finish. Loved the traditional welcome. Enjoyed the singing and the dancing and the stories throughout. Although the people were ready and answered questions, we felt we wanted to learn more about Māori culture.

Amazing & Super fun experience!

Lisbeth_I, Mar 2024

Fantastic experience with knowledgeable staff.. learned so much about Māori culture.. Amazingly talented singers and dancers super charged the performances! Thoroughly enjoyable and so memorable! Highly recommend!

Great meeting with Maori culture

Petr_V, Mar 2024

That has been quite an event! We have enjoyed very much. We liked the presentation of Maori culture and habits. Last, but not least - hihe sn excellent diner at the end. Great!

Amazing!

Linda_R, Mar 2024

What a memorable experience. A wonderful, interactive experience learning about the Māori people and their traditions. Food was outstanding and the staff were delightful!

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