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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
What‘s Included
Māori Cultural Performance
Traditional welcome ceremony
Māori fusion feast
Air-conditioned vehicle
Return transport from central Meeting Point
Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Te Pā Tū - 7.30pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - Māori cuisine
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Reviews
1,551 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun, informational, and tasty evening
DABS109,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the second experience of the evening. The hands-on workshops were fabulous. Our group that night was small enough that everyone could try any of the activities. I do not know if that’s true at full capacity. I learned a lot!! The show was informative and the family has beautiful voices!!!! The food was absolutely delicious. As a single person traveling, I was able to share a table with others, family style. That was nice too. I would recommend this experience!!
Interactive experience
Renee C,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00We got to do the activities…huka, stick game, ball on rope,etc. very enthusiastic young people guiding us. I think it might be family owned/run. Dinner was multi courses, lots of different foods. Plenty of it. Room was freezing cold from the A/C. Hard to sit there for too long. Beverages to purchase.
An unforgettable evening full of emotion, culture and exceptional food
christinev937,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our experience at Te Pā Tū was absolutely outstanding. The food was excellent — beautifully prepared, full of flavour, and clearly cooked with real skill and care. They truly know how to cook and how to create a memorable meal. The workshops were interesting and engaging, offering great insight into Māori culture. The singing and the waka moments were deeply moving and filled with emotion. Everything felt authentic, meaningful and of very high quality. Beyond the food and performances, what really stood out was the strong message about education, heritage and the transmission of knowledge across generations. It gave real depth and purpose to the evening. We truly enjoyed every moment — it was a wonderful, enriching and memorable experience. A superb evening that we would highly recommend.
Fabulous visit to Māori culture site
Stephen R,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00In visiting New Zealand for the first time we wanted to experience the Māori culture and understand more about their customs. This trip really did fulfil our expectations and gave a great insight into everything from CJ our coach guide to the whole family at the venue. It is very well put together and the food was so tasty - although far too much! An amazing experience thank you and would fully recommend to anyone.
Maouri village experience
Ali S,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This was a great way of learning about the Maouri culture and traditions. The team were amazing and also great fun. The singing and dancing was so beautiful and the food was delicious. Learning the Haka was a highlight.
Highly recommend doing...
Katherine T,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend doing this experience! It was enlightening and highlighted the Māori culture. It is interactive with lots of delicious food! We were definitely full by the end of the night. The guides were amazing, friendly, and so passionate about their culture. It was so smooth from pickup at the hotel by Dennis. And then Carpool karaoke at the end was also a blast! This was a highlight of my trip for sure!
Interesting Cultural experience
Colette M,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Interesting cultural experience from beginning to end learning their way of life and language. Dinner comes in separate shared platters.
Best evening in Rotorua!
Amber B,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an incredible evening. It was organized and well run and I was never bored. Baden, our guide was hilarious and smart and he can sing! The Māori that ran the evening were beautiful and welcoming and patient. They have a keen sense of humor and they are passionate about sharing their history with the rest of the world. The food was great, the wine was welcome. It was a delight from beginning to end. 100% recommend.
Great Cultural Experience with Ok Food.
Eliot H,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The Maori cultural experience was a great way to learn a bit about the Maori customs including dance, games, history, and food. The performers were terrific. The food was just ok. But they are serving a lot of people with each session and they tried hard to make it special.
Great Afternoon in Rotorua
rosspkeane,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riley accommodated our group of 26 Farmers from Australia. We appreciated her passion and knowledge, but more importantly her sense of humour
From NZ$270.00
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