Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience a day filled with excitement, culture, and connection as you explore Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Encounter our national treasure, the kiwi, and immerse yourself in Māori culture.
Discover awe-inspiring geysers, bubbling mud, and lush native bush during our guided Te Rā experience. Get up close to Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere.
Visit the kiwi in a specially designed nocturnal enclosure at the Kiwi Conservation Centre, dedicated to preserving this iconic bird.
Dive deeper into Māori heritage at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where students hone traditional skills in weaving, wood, stone and bone carving. Our wānanga (school) serves as a beacon for indigenous culture.
Our knowledgeable kaiārahi (guides) will share their Māori traditions and heritage with you, passing down ancestral stories and insights along the way.
Te Rā guided experience has a duration of 90 minutes.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Te Puia
Te Puia is situated in the geothermal valley of Te Whakarewarewa, Rotorua and is a powerful reminder of the earth’s natural force. With remarkable geothermal features including the famous Pōhutu Geyser and rich layers of Māori culture, from the land itself to the artworks, the people, stories, traditions and architecture. There are nature trails teeming with native bird life and you will even find the New Zealand icon, the Kiwi bird on site. The knowledge and passion of our guides is often what makes the Te Puia visitor experience so special. Passing on the knowledge and wisdom handed down from their ancestors carries a special pride. It opens visitors’ eyes to the interconnectedness of life in the Māori world, and touches hearts across cultures.
What‘s Included
Explore a Marae and Māori village
Highest Geyser and most active Geothermal Valley in the Southern Hemisphere
Professional guide
Explore our Kiwi Conservation Centre
Wood, Bone & Greenstone carving, flax weaving schools.
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Options
Te Rā Guided Tour
Guided Tour : Guided Tours are available on the hour from 9am, to 4pm. Please specify the timeslot when booking. Check in 15 min prior.
Reviews
342 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Te Puia experience.
helendE9426PV,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic guide with Riley today. A very informative and immersive experience Riley was very knowledgeable and helpful with questions Well worth the visit
Cody was great! The guided tour was very interesting.
Q5326VRamyt,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cody was an excellent tour guide. I really enjoyed the nighttime tour.
Five stars for Te Puia and Kaia, our Māori geothermal rockstar guide!!
Bryan B,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our visit to Te Puia was an absolute highlight of our trip. The experience was made truly exceptional by our guide, Kaia. Her depth of knowledge about the geothermal landscape, Māori culture, and the history of the site was incredibly impressive, yet she delivered it in such an engaging and approachable way that it never felt overwhelming or boring. What really stood out was Kaia’s genuine passion—she clearly loves what she does, and that enthusiasm was contagious throughout the tour. She was warm, friendly, and attentive, making sure everyone felt included and comfortable asking questions. Thanks to Kaia, we didn’t just see Te Puia—we truly understood and appreciated it. An unforgettable experience that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Rotorua.
Te Puia is totally worth it
Excursion35907977932,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group had the best experience at Te Puia today with Kaia. She gave us the perfect amount of information, history, fun, and free time. What a gem of a guide. Fun place to visit.
Interesting and informative tour
racoxon,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting and informative visit. Guide was knowledgeable. It was a bit touristy and you are headed a bit - but that's a result ifvits popularity. These was plenty of space. The geyser were amazing and was really interesting seeing the thermal landscape Well worth the money
Great day with plenty to listen and learn
Ian M,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Ian, was fantastic. Lots of knowledge, information and insights to heritage. We waited to watch the geyser. Dress for the weather
The geyzer at Te Puia
Rodney B,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole experience was excellent, from the guide, the geyzer and trade school. There were additional areas to look at once the guided tour had finished. Thoroughly recommend.
Great deception
markbO7017PT,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Great deception. I only booked this tour to see erupting geysers and there were none. At the beginning of the tour the guide had a jibe at the Lady Knox Geyser (which I had visited the day before at half the price) saying it was provoked (by dropping soap in) while their geysers were natural. Well no geysers at all here. When I asked the guide when we would see the geysers he said not now on our tour. There was nothing on the website when I booked to say that there was a likelihood of no eruptions. Surely NZ trade descriptions would have something to say? Avoid this tour.
Great tourists. Aga mini MoiBreanna.
Happiness439236,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00MoiBreanna was an excellent Guide. She knows about the facility and seem pleased that I asked challenging questions. I made it difficult for her because we tended to lag behind the group. I will not get another opportunity to learn about the Maori and the art Institute. I'm a jeweler and sculpture. I couldn't help but get into discussions with students and staff. They explained the art on much deeper level than most tourists are interested. Moi regurly checked on us. I explained that I had been a chirf in a Powhari ceremony and am a serious student of Indigious peoples around the world. Moi, aga mini. Take the tourists if you are able. Actually saw a Kiwi. Geysers are spectacular, even get a ride back up hill. The Waka, canoe is great too see. Their Marae is butiful and excellent for kapa haka. The visit to the Art Institute is a must. They are developing top of the line Maori careers, weavers, and painters. Finally he Gallery holds world class treasure , taonga. MUST SEE.
Awesome experience
annettel272,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an interesting tour, from seeing the incredible geysers and geothermal activity to viewing cute kiwi birds and observing the skillful students carving and weaving. We also attended the Maori performance which was awesome as well. Would highly recommend!
From NZ$100.00
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