Visit an authentic Maori village in the midst of Rotorua’s ancient Tawa forest and immerse yourself in the colourful culture on the Tamaki Maori Cultural Experience. Explore the village, listen to the stories, learn of the rituals and traditions, discover the art forms, watch the song and dance performances and indulge in a traditional hangi dinner with your Maori hosts.
You first enjoy a coach scenic drive from your accommodations to the fortified village, learning of the interesting Maori legends; also during this drive to the Tawa forest, you and your fellow guests must assign a Chief to represent the group, an honourable task and title in Maoridom. When you arrive, you cannot enter beyond the village’s outskirts until the Powhiri, a formal welcome ceremony has been performed. After several intimidating haka challenges between village warriors, your Chief will place a peace offering at your feet and you are welcomed to listen to the Karanga, a welcome call, and watch the Powhiri, a welcome dance.
Step back in time, a time before the European settlement, and explore the Maori way of life, including the small dwellings, the arts and the songs; watch the women weaving, see the warriors training with traditional weapons and openly talk with the villagers about their heritage. You then watch your meal being cooked on hot under the earth at the authentic hangi pit. Your Chief and the guides dig your meal from the dirt and open the hessain sacks, revealing your delicious dinner that has been cooking for more than three hours. From here, you head to the sacred meeting house, where you admire a series of song and dance performances.
Next, sit down with the villagers and enjoy hot chicken and lamb, kumara, potatoes, carrots and delicious stuffing that were just pulled from the hangi pit. As well, feast on Maori bread, fresh salads and seafood, desserts and a range of other dishes. After dinner, sit around the bonfire and swap stories or wander the marketplace. Finally, your experience concludes with the Poroporoaki, a closing ceremony, before returning to your accommodations.
