Private Tour
Tauranga Private Excursion: Rotorua -Te Puia-Geysers & Kiwi's
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
PRIVATE TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES.
Experience Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and authentic Māori culture on a private, time-efficient shore tour.
Departing from Tauranga, this private shore excursion takes you through rolling farmland and kiwifruit orchards to Rotorua, home of New Zealand’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Discover steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools, and soothing thermal waters before immersing yourself in the world-renowned Te Puia Māori Cultural Centre. Experience the power of the haka, explore authentic Māori traditions, and witness geothermal marvels up close. Blending culture, scenery, and comfort, this exclusive excursion is truly a “must-do” experience.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities.
Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes
Please bring sunprotection and a light jacket for cooler weather
ALL OUR TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Tauranga
After docking at Tauranga, you will be met by your driver/guide. Then enjoy the scenic drive to Rotorua. (approx 1.5hrs) The route takes you over the Tauranga harbor bridge and into downtown Tauranga area, past bucolic farmland and through the rock cuttings known as the Pyes Pa Canyons. Past kiwifruit and avacado orchards, plant nurseries and pine forests. Traverse the historic direct route to Rotorua. This is a very interesting drive to Rotorua city.
Te Puia
At Te Puia Maori Arts and Craft Centre, take a guided tour of the Whakarewarewa thermal valley, highlighting the amazing bubbling mud and steam vents of the Pohutu Geyser. The world-famous 100-foot (30-meter) Geyser erupts up to 20 times a day. Visit the kiwi house to spot the elusive native kiwi bird and experience the storytelling magic of a traditional Maori cultural performance. The Maori performance art brings the legends to life through song, dance and warlike stick games. Visit the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, and talk with the students about what they are currently creating and what it feels like to be chosen to be learning at this wonderful establishment. You will see and learn many aspects of Maori life - both past ¤nt. You will then have opportunity to have some lunch at the on-site cafe (additional cost) before perusing their lovely shop complex.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Driver/guide
Foot Spa
Port Pickup and drop-off
Transport by luxury car or minivan
Tour Departure times will move if neccesary to fit with cruise ships arrivals & departures.
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Te Puia - Te Ra & Haka performance
Options
Tauranga Private Excursion: Rotorua -Te Puia-Geysers & Kiwi's
Reviews
116 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rotorua and More!
douggX8459FP,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Steve was an excellent tour guide and representative of Zelandier Tours. The first stop was all about kiwi and its healthiness. We even purchased a kiwi ice cream cone. Lots of beautiful scenery along the way with the opportunity to dip our legs into a thermal pool. Very soothing. A great value to seize the beauty.
Amazing Tour!!
ShawnVandy,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful day! Our guide (Adrienne) met my wife and I on time and was ready to go. She is of Māori descent and was extremely knowledgeable about all of the places we went and many more items she shared with us. She was very personable and clearly knew folks wherever we went, as we were always given priority entry, etc. The tour itself was about 9 hours, but if flew by! We started by driving to Rotorua where Adrienne stopped and showed us some of the Māori ‘houses’ where family gatherings took place. Next we went to Te Puia, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where students learn the various Maori carvings, weaving, metal work, etc. while we were there, our guide was Rebecca who was super friendly and very knowledgeable. We started with the Maori show which consisted of various native dances and a Hakka. It was wonderful! When the show was finished, we moved on to go through the Institute and see the students as they worked in various items and also learned about the history and culture - it was very interesting. Following the institute we went to the Whackaware Thermal Reserve where we got to see bubbling mud pools and then the thermal geysers which were really pretty cool (no pun intended). Once we left Te Puia, Adrienne took us to various sites around Tauranga, which were all very interesting. We went to Kuirua Park where we were able to soak our legs and feet in the water which came directly from a thermal spring - it was hot but relaxing at the same time. On the way back, we stopped at a large Kiwi farm and we got to sample various kiwi fruit as well as jams and such which were made with kiwi. We finished by having some Kiwi ice cream, which was delicious. This was a great excursion - informative and fun! We would highly recommend this tour (especially if you can get booked with Adrienne) if you are in Tauranga!
Our guide Adrienne was a...
Mark K,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Adrienne was a perfect guide for this tour. She is part Māori so she was able to explain the Māori tribes history in New Zealand which was very informative as a prelude to visiting the Te Puia, the Māori cultural center & the Kiwi conservation center. I would highly recommend this tour.
amazing all day adventure
Maggy K,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00we took a private tour with or amazing guide sheree. She took care of our every need including helping my aunt who had mobility issues this was tge best tour guide and experience we have had by far in all if our travels. We are forever thankful for Sheree AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOUR ❤️
Wonderful taste of the Maori culture!
Judy T,,May 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We really loved this tour. The country drive was beautiful. Steve was a great guide and I was having trouble walking so he got a wheelchair for my husband to push. We got a great taste of the art and culture of the Maori people. We got to see the mud pools and geysers. Then went to a hall where we were entertained by Maori songs, stories and dance. So glad I was able to do this tour. It was the highliight of the trip!
Fantastic day
Louise C,,Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic day seeing the sights and experiences of a Mauri village, very interesting, the geyser, was awesome, our guide was fabulous, really enjoyed watching them sing and dance, really interesting, enjoyed seeing the sights of Rotorua too, fab day
Great tour
Robert P,,Apr 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great communication well organized at the meeting point. Josh was our guide and driver. He was excellent
Enjoyed Our Day
Karen K,,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend this tour. This tour was one of our highlights on our NZ cruise. Thank you very much for a wonderful day.
Māori culture and geysers!
Amy S,,Mar 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We greatly enjoyed the Māori cultural center and art school. The geothermal activity was also very cool. Our driver, Josh, was very pleasant.
Great Tour!
Andrea M,,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Jan C was an awesome tour guide. She gave us lots of interesting information and took us to see many interesting sites.
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Operated by Zealandier Tours