Haere mai (welcome) to New Zealand’s cultural capital
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 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 up-close and personal insight and history of the people who’ve inhabited this geothermal area for more than 200 years. Today 21 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.
Paddling a beautifully carved waka (traditional Māori canoe) along the shores of Lake Rotorua will teach you about the local Māori of Ohinemutu Village and beyond.
No matter the options you choose, you’ll be richer for the experience.
Hell's Gate Geothermal Park & Mud Spa
Māori Culture, Central
Hell’s Gate is Rotorua’s most active geothermal park and New Zealand’s only Mud Spa complex. Enjoy this thermal wonder land with our interactive guided or self-guided tour before relaxing in the geothermal muds and sulphur waters.
Sledge The Kaituna River
Māori Culture, Central
River Sledging with Kaitiaki is the most intimate way to experience the adventure that is the Kaituna River.
Kia Ora Guided Walks
Māori Culture, Central
A highly personal and entertaining tour through Rotorua city including the picturesque Government Gardens and Ohinemutu Māori Village. Take this opportunity to share our history, explore our land and most importantly to meet our people.
The Squeeze
Māori Culture, Central
Untouched New Zealand Beauty Kiwis have always been keen on an adventure. That's why some years ago it was a kiwi who invented the first jetboat! We've taken this sense of adventure and transformed it into the ultimate jet boat-adventure combo.
Thermal Safari
Māori Culture, Central
Embark on a scenic trip down the Waikato River and through the spectacular Tutukau Gorge. Take in the stunning scenery and wildlife and hear the stories of the local Maori tribes before our highly skilled drivers/guides thrill you with spins, speed and heart-stopping manoeuvres.
Totally Tarawera
Māori Culture, Central
Guided cultural and geothermal tours to Te Rata Bay (Hot Water Beach) including a natural hot pool soak.
Te Puia
Māori Culture, Central
There has never been a better time to experience the magic of Te Puia.
Whakarewarewa - The Living Māori Village
Māori Culture, Central
Home of the Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao (Māori sub tribes) people and located on a geothermal plateau, Whakarewarewa village is New Zealand’s oldest continuous Māori tourism experience’s pre-dating the world famous Pink & White Terraces.
Mitai Maori Village
Māori Culture, Central
Mitai Maori Village is an indigenous cultural experience incorporating a traditional hangi meal, cultural performance, warrior canoe and sacred freshwater spring. Nau Mai, Haere Mai - welcome!
Geyser By Night – Te Puia Light Trails
Māori Culture, Central
When darkness falls the true love story of Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland comes to life.
Kinaki Food Tours
Māori Culture, Central
For a rustic and authentic Māori food experience, look no further – Māori Masterchef Charles Royal offers an exclusive food tour and cooking demonstration on the shore of Lake Rotomā.
Ahu Boutique - Adrienne Whitewood
Māori Culture, Central
Inspired by Maori art and culture, Adrienne Whitewood takes traditional concepts and with them invents unique silhouettes exploring fabric manipulation and technology, her ethos is all about creating wearable clothing for women who want an emotional connection to clothing. All made in Rotorua.