Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua

Kia Ora!

Discover Maori Culture. Over 1000 years ago, the ancestors of Maori departed their homeland of Hawaikinui, setting out in numbers of massive Waka (canoes) in search of a new land. The story of their migration is a fascinating one in itself, as these first seafarers navigated the vast oceans using only sub-tropical wind systems and the stars to guide their path. The journey was long, and the legends and stories borne from this time are still told today.

The land mass that these great explorers discovered and ultimately settled in was here, New Zealand – but known and named then by the people as Aotearoa, meaning Land of the Long White Cloud. 

Maori lived and thrived in Aotearoa for many hundreds of years before European colonization in the late 18th Century. Living as familial tribes (iwi) on tribal land, Maori further developed their cultural traditions, beliefs and sacred rituals - handed down orally, generation to generation, and still in place today. 

Tamaki Maori Village - the most award-winning Maori culture attraction in New Zealand. A Maori village nestled in an ancient forest. A three hour journey into the heart of Maori Culture includes a superb three course buffet meal, including authentic Maori Hangi food....an experience you will never forget! 

If you should ask me what is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!

Te Wero - an intimidating but honoured protocol. We are welcome as guests.

As fires blaze, the entire village comes to life. 

Warriors standing guard at the village entrance.

Placing a peace offering for the leider of the visitors to take.

After a formal and sacred ceremony, we were welcomed through the fortifications and into the village.

A welcoming honji before stepping into a living Maori village.

Seeing and learning about Maori art forms and Maori traditions. 

Listening to villagers telling stories of their ancestors and history and experiencing traditional Maori tattoo.

The ancient art of ta moko and taniko - or Maori Tattooing - is still practised today in the traditional way, using bone chisels. Traditional tattoos provide the wearer with a spiritual link to their families, tribes and ancestors.

Seeing Maori weaponry displays, watching women weaving and making Maori crafts

Traditional songs and dances are also performed for us – experience the unique Poi dance, breath-taking harmonies and the famed, powerful Maori Haka.

Central to the Maori culture are the traditions of song and dance.

The spine-tingling haka (traditional dance) and powerful harmonies of Maori waiata (song) were ways for Maori to share and protect their stories and these art forms are rooted in deep meaning.

The Tamaki Rotorua Maori Village experience culminates in a sumptuous 3-course feast. Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua offers visitors an authentic Maori Hangi meal, steamed underground in the traditional way. 

Hospitality of guests and the sharing of food and drink are central to the Maori way of life.

Maori are a proud people, and they love sharing their stories, their history and their rich culture with visitors. Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua offers a window to our world, and a glimpse back in time.