Top 5: Maori Experiences in New Zealand

The Maori were the original inhabitants of New Zealand, settling on the island some time between 1250 and 1300. Today, about 600,000 New Zealanders identify as Maori, so there are plenty of cultural experiences to see.

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Whakarewarewa Thermal Village

Rotorua is the capital of Maori culture, and Whakarewarewa is one of the most interesting places to see. This tiny village has been around for 300 years, and is known for harnessing the earth’s geothermal power through geysers and hot springs.

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Maori Tours Kaikoura

Maori Tours Kaikoura aims to provide authentic experiences that give insight into Maori culture and village life. The tours go through the history of the region and the village’s relationship to the surrounding environment, even taking guests on a bush walk to learn traditional Maori cooking and medicine.

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East Cape

For a fun and informative road trip, drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, where you will pass several Maori settlements, one of which is Te Araroa, home to a 600-year-old pohutukawa tree and the birthplace of Sir Apirana Ngata, a Maori politician and promoter of Maori culture.

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Tamaki Maori Village

Also located on Rotorua, the Tamaki is a recreation of a Maori village before European settlement. A village elder leads the tour, and visitors will get to watch Maori dance performances and eat in a traditional hangi.

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Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Treaty Grounds is a significant historic site for New Zealanders, as it is home to the Treaty House, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori and the British Crown, recognizing Maori ownership of their lands.