One of our main missions here at TravelEssence is to introduce our customers, you, to New Zealand's unique Māori culture and to allow you to fully understand and immerse in this incredible culture as part of your holiday.
In order to do that, first, we must share the story of New Zealand and its first inhabitants - the Polynesian sailors - who arrived over 1,000 years ago in Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud and brought with them their fascinating culture, characterised by a deep connection to nature, spiritual practices, and unique forms of expression - such as the Haka dance and elaborately tattooed Moko faces - which are still practised today.
Our Product Manager Heather recently travelled to New Zealand to find new Māori experiences that we can recommend to you, so you can experience some of the most culturally rich activities in the world when travelling Down Under.
With each company being Māori-owned, you also know that with every booking you are actively contributing to preserving this unique culture.
Join Heather in her Down Under journey, and be inspired and immerse yourself with us in a world that goes far beyond the tourist destinations and reveals the true heart of New Zealand.
In this picturesque spa setting on Lake Rotorua, Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing traditions and warm hospitality merge to create a unique wellness experience. The steaming waters of the hot springs invite you to take a Wai Whakaora, which means “restorative journey”.
This bath in mineral-rich, regenerating water that bubbles directly from the earth offers unparalleled therapeutic, relaxing and rejuvenating effects. Combined with a massage or one of the other traditional treatments, this place becomes a soothing stopover on any trip to New Zealand.
This unforgettable evening allows you to immerse yourself deeply in the fascinating Māori culture. Depending on the season, determined by the traditional Maramataka lunar calendar, either winter or summer celebrations take place.
In a pā, the traditional meeting place, these unique customs are maintained, stories are told around the campfire, and the Haka is taught. A particular highlight is the feast, kai, prepared from local ingredients by a Māori chef and enjoyed outdoors.
I had a smile on my face the whole evening!
Heather, Product Manager at TravelEssence
Climbing Mt. Tarawera not only reveals the breathtaking landscape, but also the fascinating history that surrounds the mountain. Famous for its eruption on 10 June 1886, Mt Tarawera created the world's youngest geothermal valley, Waimangu. Te Maunga ō Tarawera, as the mountain is known by Māori, is a spiritual sanctuary of the Ngati Rangitihi Iwi.
History comes to life here on a guided hike with a Māori guide, and the 360-degree views from above are unforgettable! Brave participants can venture into the heart of the impressive volcanic crater.
A good hour's drive from Rotorua lies the largest wilderness area on the North Island: Te Pua a Tane, the Whirinaki rainforest - a majestic, ancient and spiritual realm.
On a guided hike, local guides take you into the heart of the ancient podocarp rainforest - revered by the Māori for its beauty, spiritual presence, and wealth of food, medicine, building and weaving materials - the guide will share with you the stories about the traditions and customs and how they intertwine with the unique flora and fauna of the rainforest.
Guide Deon showcases the best Waikato has to offer in a cultural and culinary journey. The historic sites of Maketu are the backdrop to fascinating tales of the great migration of Arawa Waka, the important landing site and the legendary Tama Te Kapua.
True to Manaakitanga - which means hospitality, friendliness and care - which the Māori are famous for, Deon will cook a feast using only ingredients that are all self-collected, caught or hunted, that you won't soon forget! A special highlight: the fried bread and the steamed pudding – two of Deon’s specialities.
The guided hike around Mauao, also known as Mt Maunganui, reveals the region's fascinating history. Learn why the mountain got its name, discover the historical places where the first Māori canoes came ashore and gain insight into how the Māori once lived and what traces they left behind.
This unique tour allows you to delve deeply into the culture and history of the region and understand the importance of the Mauao to the native community.
Les Millard, a retired teacher, shares his wealth of knowledge about Māori culture in Tauranga. The past comes to life through his stories: from the arrival of missionaries and European settlers to stirring tales of Māori strength and bravery, where the highlight of the tour is a visit to a local marae, a Māori gathering place that offers insight into this fascinating culture.
Plus, the views from here of Tauranga's picturesque harbour area are outstanding!
Would you like to experience one or more of the activities described here yourself during your trip to New Zealand? Then contact our Travel Specialists for further information.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 9am until 6pm. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
