"Ki mai koe ki a au,
he aha te mea nui tenei ao:
He tangate, he tangate, he tangate."

"If you should ask me what is
the greatest thing in the world,
the answer would be:
it is people, it is people, it is people."

A visit to Rotorua is not complete without participating in a traditional Maori Hangi and Feast. No other dining experience offers such an evening to remember. Tamaki Maori Village will take you on a cultural journey back onto the marae (Maori Village) where the life force of this country's indigenous people is strongest.

The journey through time unfolds when your coach travels to a pre-European village set deep within the forest 15 minutes from Rotorua. The coach turns imaginatively into a Maori canoe (waka) and everyone on board paddles toward the village. Your guide will instruct you on the protocol for visiting Marae (meeting grounds). A chief is selected, a song learnt and the eerie cry of the welcome is heard before entering into a world of ancient Maori and proud warriors.

You will experience the Powhiri (welcome ceremony) before you enter the village with crackling open fires in front of traditional whare (houses). Hear ancient Maori instruments and see the activity of days gone by. In the wharenui (meeting house), Rangiatea culture group offers a powerful display of haka, song and dance. As new friendships are forged, dine on the traditional hangi, where the food is cooked slowly beneath the ground in earthen ovens.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

Daily, except December 25 (Christmas Day)

Departure Point:

Your selected Rotorua city hotel

Departure Time:

Up to three shows per evening. The first show is 7:30pm. They often sell out so additional performances from 5:30pm are scheduled. Hotel pickups commence at least 1 hour prior to these times.

Upon arrival into Rotorua, you must call Tamaki Maori Village to reconfirm your booking. At this time you will be provided with your hotel pick up and show times. All contact details are listed on your confirmation voucher.

Return details:

Tour returns to the original departure point

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick up is available from all Rotorua centrally located hotels. Please advise your full hotel name and address at time of booking.

Itinerary:

Enroute to “Tamaki Maori Village”, your guide will instruct you on the rules and protocol for visiting Marae (meeting grounds). It is customary for the welcoming tribe to send out a challenge. Together you will select a chief to represent those on your coach in the Powhiri (welcome ceremony) to come.

The Karanga, or welcome call, will echo across the courtyard, followed by the Powhiri (welcome dance).

You will then be able to enter onto the village grounds, where the Tangata Whenua (people of the land) will demonstrate the different activities, such as poi twirling, hand games and weaponry displays, and reciting chants – activities of an era gone by.

From the village you will enter our meeting house. This building represents an ancestor of our past. Customs in our house include the men making a welcome speech (whaikorero), and a waiata (song) is offered in support of new friendships forged.

The traditional hangi meal has been under the earth on hot rocks for three to four hours. This is the old traditional cooking method of the Maori. The rocks are heated to a white hot state with some of our native timber. They are then put into a pit dug into the earth. The baskets of meat are put directly on the hot stones, and then the vegetable baskets and following that, the pudding baskets on top. A wet cloth is placed over the food, followed by wet Hessian. Earth is then piled quickly over everything to keep the heat inside the earth oven. Please note: Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements are catered for upon request.

Inside the dining room (Wharekai), tables have been numbered to ensure that everyone gets seated with family and friends. Ticket numbers should coincide with table numbers. One of the guides will explain restroom facilities. It is customary for Maori to bless the food with a prayer (Karakia). The meal is buffet style, allowing you to choose whatever you desire. To ensure a smooth flow in the buffet, your guide will bring you up one table at a time. It works very efficiently, and it won't be long before everyone is enjoying the succulent hangi meal.

You now have time to mingle with our people and enjoy the Tribal Market Place, where you will find taonga (treasures) and other items of significance to Maori, such as bone carvings, jewelry and more which are for sale in a selection of whare (houses) located around the market place.

The evening ends with the 'Poroporoaki', the official closing ceremony. There will be waiata (song) and whaikorerero (speeches). Your guides will escort you out to your coach, and you will depart for your safe journey back to your accommodation.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Fully guided experience
• Explore a pre-European Maori Village
• Maori performance in traditional meeting house
• Traditional Maori food (hangi) cooked beneath the ground

Exclusions:

• Drinks (village is fully licensed, drinks can be purchased for an additional cost)

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of travel.
• Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking.
• Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated.
• Vegetarian meal option available on request.
• Camera and Video usage is permitted throughout the entire evening experience.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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