Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, its blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre.
Te Pā Tū offers 3-hour evening events that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Across summer, Tū Te Rā celebrates an abundant harvest, and we explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace.
Throughout winter, Tū Te Ihi marks promise heralded by the arrival of the Matariki star cluster which high and bright in winter skies, signalling the new lunar year – we share the energy and passion of this celebration.
Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared from the outset – rituals, songs, stories and continue across the night. From the beginning too, we share local, seasonal kai - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) is followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 3-course fusion feast.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Camera and Video usage is permitted throughout the entire evening experience.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
PLEASE RECONFIRM YOUR BOOKING 24 HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
What To Expect
Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 3.5 hours of celebration and feasting. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) –blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Tū Te Rā – Summer Harvest Celebration (October - April): Across this lunar phase, the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates abundant harvest and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. Tū Te Ihi - Winter Matariki Celebration (May - September): \ Tū Te Ihi includes the time in the earth’s cycle when Matariki stars are high and bright in winter skies. Te Ihi references the energy and passion stirred by the Matariki cluster and the promise they herald.
Options
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 7.30pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - Māori cuisine
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Traditional welcome ceremony
Māori fusion feast
Air-conditioned vehicle
Māori Cultural Performance
Return transport from central Meeting Point
Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,673 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great cultural experience
Sherpa58902056924,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We absolutely loved our experience at Te Pā Tū Māori Village. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming and engaging. The entertainment was outstanding, with talented performers who shared Māori culture in a way that was both meaningful and enjoyable. The food was delicious, with a great variety of dishes that were beautifully presented and full of flavour. It was clear that a lot of thought and care went into the entire experience. Overall, it was a fantastic night out and one of the highlights of our visit. The combination of culture, entertainment, food, and hospitality made for a truly memorable evening. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable experience.
A LifeTime Experience
Odyssey04255349859,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An experience that everyone should do in their lifetime if you live in NZ or not. If you aren't aware of the Maori culture Te Pa Tu will definitely help you to start your learning journey. Wonderful people who made you feel at ease and experiencing different aspects of the Maori culture was awesome. I liked the different canapés e.g. the Kawakawa prawn when you walked around the village, this delicacy was delicious. The overall experience I would recommend to everyone. Like I stated in the beginning of my review, everyone should experience this wonderful place. Ki Ora
A night to Remember
Trek05588308885,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Our night started off with a very warm welcome from Bayden whom was such a pleasure to listen too with very informative knowledge and commands. Upon entering Te Pa Tu you get this welcoming from Performers around the fir pit which felt very intimate and warm. In the village we were welcomed to many different games with tasty entrees and history. Moving into the wharekai we than are welcomed by performers and Staff the setting was very colonial and warm the Kai on the table was absolutely beautiful tasty a very well done variety not too much just enough dessert was also yum Overall experience I would definitely come back maybe in the warmer months as our night there was a little bit of rain which didn’t hinder a great experience Thank you to all the performers the Kitchen staff the waitresses our awsome bus driver Uncle Hemi and Bayden the most talented Guide with an amazing voice Nga Mihi Nui Te Pa Tu
すごい
Travel02340217886,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00My Japanese visitors wanted to do a hangi and concert and they chose Te Pa Tu as they had done some research. I have been here a while back when it was Tamaki Tours. We met the tour at the office in town. Bayden greeted us and explained the process. I tried to translate with my broken Japanese. I think I did it justice. We all enjoyed the experience. My visitors loved the food. おい石買った. The loved the singing 綺麗 they loved performers 凄い. The trip out and back, the activities, the dinner, the performance and the songs from around the world 👍🏽❤️ ありがとございました👍🏽👍🏽
You need to experience this!
Nomad37863719446,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing experience. I learned so much about the Maōri people. When you get there first a Welcoming Ceremony then we went to different groups. Learned about Maori tattooing, a stick movement group participation - I just watched that I am clumsy. Then we had a lovely dinner. I actually got to sit with the hosts. A bunch of Great guys. They were So Friendly. They spent the whole time just answering any questions and it was nice having a real conversation with locals.
Fantastic!
Chin-Pin,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of four adults joined this cultural experience. It was so special and immersive that we felt like we were actual guests of the Māori family, and almost forgot that we paid for the tour. The performance was wonderful. Food was abundant and very tasty. Will highly recommend.
A wonderful evening with the Te Pa Tu family
Donna L,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00From the pickup to the drop off this was a great experience. Everyone who I interacted with was very professional and wanted to share. The fire ceremony was wonderful, the interactive exhibits were interesting, and the dinner was delightful. I liked that the family joined each table to eat and interact with the guests. I also enjoyed getting to know the people who were at the same table.
Good experience but not value for money
Ailsa G,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Really lovely people however, the experience was a bit disappointing. The village was a replica, very limited information about the culture & history of the tribe (albeit the activities gave an insight into random aspects of the culture but very little explanation). The singing, music and Haka were the highlights. It was engaging and encouraged participation. Lovely touch with the performers sitting with guests at dinner which is when we found out most information (through asking our own questions). Food was ok and abundant. Overall, a good experience but not value for money.
A beautiful cultural experience
431christinev,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a beautiful cultural experience with stories told around open fires. The music and singing was amazing. The winter Kai (cuisine) was a delicious feast. It was a very special experience.
Fantastic cultural experience
Melissa S,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very interesting and interactive cultural experience, with an amazing meal. Highly recommended
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