Private Tour
Wedding Māori Welcome
Overview
Available languages
30 minutes
Mobile ticket
If you are looking to include New Zealand Māori culture and a Welcome to Wānaka/Queenstown and to your special day this Māori welcome is a unique and special memory to include in your wedding day.
Because it is personalised we can discuss what best suits your needs, from experience it is ideally suited prior to the Bride, Groom and Wedding party entering the reception, or at a gathering with all guests and family prior to the wedding day itself. The Bridge and Groom get a bone carving and the guests and wedding party get an experience they will remember in your wedding forever.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
All activities
Gratuities
Transportation to and from the venue by WanaHaka® will be added as a separate charge.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Lake Wanaka
The Wedding Māori welcome being performed by an individual Māori warrior allows for a more personalised and connected welcome to the Wanaka and Queenstown region of New Zealand. Initially a Wero/Challenge is performed by the Māori warrior to ascertain you are here in peace(being your wedding I assume you are(insert smiley face), then the Hongi/Māori greeting is performed and explained with the wedding party and Bride and Groom and the Queenstown/Wanaka Haka is performed to welcome one and all-contrary to belief the Haka is not always performed as a challenge and not just for sport. From experience, this incredible and passionate welcome to New Zealand is either best included on the day or days prior to your wedding day if you get everyone together at once, or at the wedding reception upon your entry to the reception.
Options
Wedding Māori Welcome
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
WanaHaka - can't recommend Joe enough!
OnAir07546693149,
Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe at WanaHaka set our wedding week off with an incredible bang! It was interesting, thoughtful, educational, fun, creative - all in one. We would strongly recommend Joe for anyone interested in tastefully incorporating some Māori culture into an event - plus he's just a great bloke who you can have a beer with afterwards ;) Thanks again Joe! You were the perfect addition to our Wedding Welcome Drinks.
Unforgettable experience
Sebastian M,
Dec 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe gave us a unique moment during our wedding, giving us a cultural experience that enriched us, both my partner and myself and our family and friends who were present! Joe was very friendly and cordial to us all!
Amazing experience
D663GCcathys,
Oct 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were glad that we included the Maori Welcome as part of our pre-wedding activity as it was a great experience for us and our guests who came from different parts of the world in understanding the Maori Culture. Joe was very friendly and accommodated our questions.
Wedding
Shane Sharlene R,
Oct 29, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We recently used Joe from WanaHaka To surprise our daughter and new son in law on their very special day. The wedding guests were a mix of both Kiwis and Aussies. This experience was very well received. Both bride and groom loved it. We all loved and learned so much. Joe explained every meaning/translation. Whaikorero-opening/greeting Wero- challenge Mana-spirit of person/prestige Kia-Kaha -stand/be strong Etc We would highly recommend Joe for any occasion. Thank you so much Joe for adding a breathtaking performance to this very precious day. We will remember this for ever xo Respect.. Shane & Sharlene Rudkin
An Absolute Highlight of our Wedding Day!!!
KseniyaN25,
Mar 31, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I reached out to Joe approximately 10 months before our special day in Gibbston Valley, Central Otago. Since the very first email he was absolutely amazing and super helpful. My husband comes from a Maori heritage and I really wanted to honour his ancestors on our wedding day. Joe kept everything a secret and surprised our guests and my husband with a beautiful welcome and blessing in Maori. In total Joe carried out the following: Whaikorero -opening greeting Kia Ora- Hello Whakatau - Welcome Wero - Challenge Hongi - greeting Haka - Maori Dance Mana- Prestige/ Spirit of person Kia Kaha- Stand/Be Strong Ka kite ano - Goodbye Everything was absolutely to the best possible standard! I wish that we had met Joe earlier to experience more of what WanaHaka offers! Much love, Kseniya and Travis
Wonderful Experience
Polglazer,
Jan 8, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Topped off a remarkable wedding in a remarkable destination. Joe was simply incredible with his performance and then with his explanation of the Maori Powhiri and Welcome. A great insight for everyone as to what it all actually means. Thoroughly enjoyed by all and would recommend to anyone.
Highlight of the trip - Must Do
KelceyM8,
Jan 6, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I brought my family visiting from the states to see Joe's Maori Whakataū at the Wanaka Tree and the experience was incredible. Joe was warm and welcoming and incredibly knowledgeable. My parents have visited me here in Wanaka four other times and said this was a highlight of all of their trips so far. Don't delay, and book in straight away!
Beautiful wedding powhiri!
mahdijhan,
Nov 18, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I were very fortunate to have Joe Waide from WanaHaka perform a Whakatau for our wedding in Queenstown, this entailed a beautiful Whaikorero (opening greeting), Haka (traditional maori war dance) and hongi (greeting). I found Joes number via the WanaHaka website and since the first call he made the whole process so personal and seamless. Joe’s performance was strong, powerful and deeply moving. I am a kiwi with Maori ancestry but husband is Australian as are his parents thus they had no idea what to expect with having a maori ceremony proceeding the celebrants ceremony, needless to say they and my other guests were completely blown away with the energy Joe brought to his performance. Joe is an absolute gentleman and so accommodating, he explains everything in thorough detail and personalises his performance to suit your needs. I really cannot recommend Joe highly enough, especially if you are looking for a beautiful “kiwi” edge to your wedding or to any function for that matter. Thanks again Joe you bloody legend! x
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