Welcome ceremonyWatch the revealing of the traditionalHangi mealObserve warriors paddling a canoe downWai-o-Whiro streamCultural performanceEnjoy a full buffet Hangi dinnerQuestion and answer sessionStroll through nature to visit an ancient fortified village, discovering the old ways of life and our people's resilienceExplore the natural spring, Te Puna Tapu o TuhoeWitness the forest illuminated by glowing worms at night

Parking is freeDress appropriately for the weather, such as warm clothing in winter, a hat in summer, and a jacket when it's rainingWear comfortable shoes for the bush walkUmbrellas are provided on a first-come, first-served basisSome areas of the forest walk may not be accessible for wheelchairsLimited availability of baby highchairs, so book in advanceThere are bar facilities on site; please do not bring alcoholic beverages onto or off the premises

Adult: 14 years +Children: 5-13 yearsInfant: 4 years and under

Mitai Māori Cultural Experience & Hāngī Buffet Dinner

North Island

Mitai Maori Village

from

US$95

per adult

Book Now

Group of Māori warriors performing the haka at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Experiences

History and Māori Culture

Food, Wine and Beer Tours

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

North Island

Start: Rotorua

Travel Time: 3 hours

Mitai Māori Cultural Experience is an evening visit to Mitai Māori Village, about a 10-minute drive from central Rotorua, with free parking on site. The programme lasts three hours excluding transfers. It runs daily year-round, subject to availability; limited complimentary transfers from selected Rotorua accommodation must be requested when booking. The experience includes a waka arrival, cultural performance, hāngī buffet and guided forest walk to see a sacred spring and glowworms. It suits families and visitors interested in Māori culture.

Māori warriors arriving in a traditional waka with torches at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Experience Māori Culture, Hāngī and Glowworms at Mitai

Your evening begins with a traditional welcome and the unveiling of the hāngī, where kai is slowly cooked beneath the earth using heated stones. Watch the dramatic arrival of warriors aboard a waka taua before experiencing a lively cultural performance filled with storytelling, song, dance and haka. Together, these traditions offer a fascinating introduction to Māori history, customs and values.

Traditional Māori hāngī meal served on hot rocks at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Then settle in for a generous hāngī buffet featuring meats, chicken, kūmara and other dishes infused with the distinctive flavours of earth-oven cooking. Afterwards, venture into the native forest on a guided walk through the old village site to the sacred spring Te Puna Tapu o Tūhoe. As darkness falls, look for glowworms shining along the forest banks—a memorable natural finale to this three-hour Rotorua cultural experience.

Note: We specialise in serving "Hangi". Our menu accommodates some dietary needs such as gluten-free, and we offer vegetarian and vegan options. All our meats are halal.

Māori warrior standing beside a stream during a twilight tour at Mitai Māori Village.

Māori whānau (family) dressed in traditional attire standing together at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Māori warriors arriving in a waka (canoe) during the cultural show at Mitai Māori Village.

Crystal-clear sacred spring surrounded by native bush at Mitai Māori Village.

Glowing hot stones used in a traditional Māori hāngī at Mitai Village in Rotorua.

Staff uncovering a traditional hāngī meal at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Fresh root vegetables prepared for a traditional Māori hāngī at Mitai Village.

Māori performers dancing with poi on stage at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Welcome ceremony
Watch the revealing of the traditional
Hangi meal
Observe warriors paddling a canoe down
Wai-o-Whiro stream
Cultural performance
Enjoy a full buffet Hangi dinner
Question and answer session
Stroll through nature to visit an ancient fortified village, discovering the old ways of life and our people's resilience
Explore the natural spring, Te Puna Tapu o Tuhoe
Witness the forest illuminated by glowing worms at night

Parking is free
Dress appropriately for the weather, such as warm clothing in winter, a hat in summer, and a jacket when it's raining
Wear comfortable shoes for the bush walk
Umbrellas are provided on a first-come, first-served basis
Some areas of the forest walk may not be accessible for wheelchairs
Limited availability of baby highchairs, so book in advance
There are bar facilities on site; please do not bring alcoholic beverages onto or off the premises

Adult: 14 years +
Children: 5-13 years
Infant: 4 years and under

More than 48 hours before departure: Full refund**.
Between 24 and 48 hours before departure: 50% refund**
Within 24 hours before departure: No refund

Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Frequently asked questions

Mitai combines a waka taua arrival, cultural performance, hāngī buffet, sacred spring and glowworm walk in an approximately three-hour evening. The Te Pā Tū Māori Cultural Experience offers a different forest-based programme centred on seasonal Māori traditions, storytelling, performance and Māori-inspired dining. Both provide immersive introductions to Māori culture in Rotorua.

The guided evening walk follows a native forest trail to Te Puna Tapu o Tūhoe, with an opportunity to see glowworms after dark. Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as parts of the experience take place outdoors. Travellers preferring a daytime programme can consider the seasonal Voyage of Māori Heritage and Hāngī Buffet Lunch.

The buffet features meats, chicken, kūmara and accompaniments prepared using traditional hāngī cooking methods, creating distinctive smoky and earthy flavours. Vegetarian, vegan and some gluten-free requirements can be accommodated, while all meat served is halal. Discover more cultural, dining and geothermal experiences when planning your visit to Rotorua.

The evening includes a traditional welcome, the arrival of warriors aboard a waka taua and a cultural performance featuring storytelling, waiata, dance and haka. Guests can also see the hāngī pit opened and join a guided forest walk to the sacred spring, Te Puna Tapu o Tūhoe. Explore more Māori cultural experiences throughout New Zealand.