3.5 hours of immersive entertainment, storytelling, and kai hākari (feasting)Forest canapés on arrivalComplimentary chef’s choice aperitifFour-course Māori-fusion dinnerReturn transport from central Rotorua

Adult: 16 years +Children: 5-15 yearsInfant: 4 years & under

Cancellation & Refund

More than 48 hours before departure: 100% refund if cancelled by 12:00 pm.**More than 24 hours before: 50% refund if cancelled by 12:00 pm.**Within 24 hours of departure: No refund.**Refunds exclude credit card and booking fees, which are non-refundable.Note: *Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Overview Book now

Te Pā Tū Māori Cultural Experience

North Island

Te Pā Tū

from

NZ$280

per adult

Book Now

Māori warrior performing the wero challenge with a fern during Te Pā Tū pōwhiri

Guests sampling traditional Māori kai served outdoors by a Te Pā Tū host

Experiences

History and Māori Culture

Food, Wine and Beer Tours

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

North Island

Start: Rotorua

Duration: 3-4 hours

Māori Culture Brought to Life in a Native Forest Setting

The Te Pā Tū Māori cultural experience is an immersive 3.5-hour experience that follows the rhythms of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, ensuring no two evenings are the same. Through powerful storytelling, song and kapa haka, the experience is designed to connect visitors with Māori culture in a uniquely atmospheric Rotorua setting.

Surrounded by towering tawa trees and the glow of open fires, guests enjoy seasonal Māori cuisine inspired by traditional hāngi and reimagined using contemporary techniques. The evening begins with kai horotai (indigenous canapés) before a torchlit walk into the forest for a four-course Māori-fusion feast. Set within native forest surroundings, Te Pā Tū Rotorua brings Māori traditions to life in an authentic and memorable way.

Recognised as one of Aotearoa’s standout cultural experiences, Te Pā Tū proudly received both the Tourism Excellence Award (Small–Medium Business) and the Visitor Experience Award at the 2024 New Zealand Tourism Awards.

Māori woman performing with poi in the forest during a Te Pā Tū cultural experience

A guest and Māori host sharing a hongi greeting during a Te Pā Tū cultural welcome

Young Māori warrior illuminated by firelight during Te Pā Tū evening ceremony

Māori performers in traditional red costumes presenting kapa haka at Te Pā Tū

Wāhine Māori dressed in traditional clothing during a Te Pā Tū cultural welcome

Group of Māori women in traditional and colonial-era dress performing indoors at Te Pā Tū

Māori man with tā moko (tattoo) and traditional attire holding a taiaha (club) at Te Pā Tū

Visitors and performers gathered around a blazing bonfire under the night sky at Te Pā Tū

Close-up of pikopiko ferns and wild mushrooms used in Māori cuisine at Te Pā Tū

Contemporary Māori feast with beautifully presented dishes at Te Pā Tū

Traditional Māori vegetables like kūmara and taro served in woven flax basket at Te Pā Tū

Traditional hāngī meal with meat and vegetables served in a woven flax basket at Te Pā Tū

A beautifully set table with an abundant Māori feast at Te Pā Tū

Wild forest ingredients including pikopiko fern and native mushrooms in a pan at Te Pā Tū

Delicately plated kai served in shell dishes with fresh greens during a Te Pā Tū experience

Guests enjoying a candlelit dinner outdoors at Te Pā Tū in Rotorua

Traditional Māori hāngī being lifted from an earth oven at Te Pā Tū

Tū Te Rā – Celebrating Summer’s Abundance (October-April)

Tū Te Rā celebrates the height of summer, a time when light, warmth, and life flourish. In line with the maramataka, this special experience honours the season of harvest and explores ancestral Māori stories of peace and warfare. With longer days and the sun at full strength, Tū Te Rā embraces the energy of summer through captivating cultural performances and a feast inspired by the season’s bounty. More than just a meal, it’s a heartfelt celebration of the land, tradition, and community spirit.

Tū Te Ihi – A Matariki Winter Celebration (May to September)

From May to September, Te Pā Tū honours Tū Te Ihi, a special celebration of Matariki—the Māori New Year. As the Matariki star cluster rises in the winter sky, this event stirs passion, reflection, and renewal. It’s a time to honour the legacy of those who came before, and to look forward with hope and intention. Tū Te Ihi captures this spirit through stirring performances and heartfelt storytelling, alongside a seasonal feast inspired by the energy of winter and the promise of new beginnings.

What to expect

Arrival and welcome
Kai horotai (indigenous canapés)
Kapa haka and storytelling performances
Torchlit walk through the forest
Four-course Māori-fusion feast

3.5 hours of immersive entertainment, storytelling, and kai hākari (feasting)
Forest canapés on arrival
Complimentary chef’s choice aperitif
Four-course Māori-fusion dinner
Return transport from central Rotorua

Adult: 16 years +
Children: 5-15 years
Infant: 4 years & under

DIETARY REQUESTS must be notified at least 24 hours before

We offer special dietary options. However, due to the nature of our Māori kai and summer menu, we may not be able to accommodate all dietary needs. While we can accommodate gluten-free requirements, please note that we are not a coeliac-approved kitchen. We can cater to vegetarian requests but are unable to accommodate vegan or strict vegetarian requirements; as well as some nut allergies, but not severe where it is life threatening as cross contamination occurs.

More than 48 hours before departure: 100% refund if cancelled by 12:00 pm.**
More than 24 hours before: 50% refund if cancelled by 12:00 pm.**
Within 24 hours of departure: No refund.

**Refunds exclude credit card and booking fees, which are non-refundable.

Note: *Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*