Rotorua Cultural Tours

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…

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, its blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū offers 3-hour evening events that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Across summer, Tū Te Rā celebrates an abundant harvest, and we explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. Throughout winter, Tū Te Ihi marks promise heralded by the arrival of the Matariki star cluster which high and bright in winter skies, signalling the new lunar year – we share the energy and passion of this celebration. Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared from the outset – rituals, songs, stories and continue across the night. From the beginning too, we share local, seasonal kai - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) is followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 3-course fusion feast.

Enjoy the melodious harmonies of the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people as they serenade you with song & dance unique to our people, telling stories of our ancestors, history and traditions.

Arriving in Rotorua later in the day? No problem! Discover the region's stunning lakes and experience the incredible Te Puia Maori cultural attraction on this half-day, small-group afternoon tour. We'll pick you up from your Rotorua accommodation between 1:00 PM and 1:15 PM. At Te Puia, you'll enjoy a guided tour through its highlights, including the renowned woodcarving school, the art and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, a traditional weaving display, and the Kiwi House. Witness the magnificent Pōhutu Geyser erupting in person! Spend your afternoon soaking in Rotorua's scenic beauty with a relaxing 60-minute drive around its most picturesque spots. You'll return to your city accommodation around 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM.

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. Please be advised, we do NOT pick up from any ports in New Zealand.