What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Be a welcomed guest rather than just a tourist!

  Dream51980838031,

  Sep 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  If you are visiting New Zealand and want to be not just a tourist, but a welcome guest, Tu Tika Tours is your answer!Merv and Rangimarie greeted us at the start of the tour, ukelele in hand, and introduced us to a traditional Maori greeting. Despite the unfamiliarity of the greeting, we felt immediately comfortable and at home, like returning friends rather than tourists. Then came a formal, but heartfelt, welcoming speech, and we were off to see the sights.In addition to beautiful waterfalls and amazing trees, we learned *why* those treasures are important to the people who live there, and we learned it from their own perspective. While Whangarei Falls are beautiful, to your average tourist they're just another lovely sight to see. Merv and Rangimarie tied in their own cultural and personal experience, adding a whole next level of appreciation of the importance of the site - a lesson that can be applied to all kinds of places throughout the country.There were language tips (thanks for not laughing at our pronunciation!), stories, songs, and a delicious lunch!Merv and Rangimarie encouraged questions and discussion, which was like meeting up with friends for a brunch - plenty of thoughtful topics and lots of laughter!As it turned out, our tour was the last stop on our trip, and the farewell from Merv and Rangimarie perfectly fit our farewell to the islands -- until next time!

• Authentic and knowledgeable

  pam h,

  Nov 21, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We wanted an intimate and authentic introduction to the Maori culture and this was exactly what we got. From the welcome with their tribal blessings, being taught traditional crafts and songs, to open conversation about subjects from ancestral beginnings to the recently completed 9 day peaceful protest, it was an amazing and humbling experience. Merv and Rangimarie obviously care deeply about their Maori culture and taking the time to share this with us was something we will treasure. Whakawhetai koe

• A Meaningful Maori Experience In Whangarei

  JackB667,

  Jun 26, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Mervyn and Rangimarie were an engaging and informative couple as we dove into the Maori experience. Their Maori welcoming ceremony was very personal and certainly made us feel welcomed. They discussed the Maori culture in depth as we visited waterfalls and hiked into the forest explaining how the Maoris honored and respected the Kauri tree in particular. They guided us in using the flax to create a flower which we were instructed we should give away as a sign of friendship. They also treated us to a fabulous fish lunch with a chance to simply have a wide ranging conversation. This led to a chance to learn a song that taught us Maori words similar to what the school kids learn at a young age. What tremendous experience and two of the best guides we have ever had.

• Wonderful tour and forever memorable🥰

  Scott B,

  Mar 29, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  We had an amazing experience with Merv & Rangimarie of Tu Tika Tours!!! The tour was wonderful and forever memorable for our group of four. We learned a great deal of information about the Māori past and present. We walked together in the ancient footsteps of the Māori and their wisdom of the world. They made us feel welcome and honestly humbled to share the day with them. We all would love to come back to the North Island and see them again!!! Until next time our new friends. Love you both from your new Canadian friends🇨🇦🇨🇦🥰🥰😎🇳🇿🇳🇿

• Great experience!

  Vjaggatrici,

  Mar 21, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Great opportunity to learn about the Māori culture thanks to Merv who happily shared his knowledge about his ancestors. We really had a great time during this activity.

• An Informative/Creative Māori Cultural Experience

  Jack B,

  Feb 23, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  One reason we traveled to NZ was to learn more of the history and culture of the indigenous people. Tu Tika delivered beyond our expectations. Mervin and his wife have knowledge that only Māori descendants could have been able to discuss with deep personal knowledge. We were met at the meeting point with a traditional Māori greeting and ukulele rendition. We immediately felt welcome and knew this would be an exciting tour. Visiting the Whangārei Falls, not only was it a beautiful sight, we were told about the deep Māori connections with nature. The conversation continued as we took a walk later into the forest where we learned much more about their ancestral connections, their culture as well as current day Māori life. While traveling in their very comfortable van, we learned some Māori words and even participated in a Māori children’s song while Mervin played the ukulele adding fun to our very enjoyable experience. They were a wealth of knowledge, fun to be around and gave us the in depth look into their traditions and culture we had hoped for. After a perfect day, we were treated to a delicious New Zealand fish and chips lunch next to the famous Te Matau A Pohe bridge. We were treated to the opening of the lift bridge while eating lunch!! By the time we were done, we felt like family This is a must do tour with our highest recommendation!!

• A most interesting and informative tour.

  jmcsweeny,

  Feb 22, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Merwyn and Rangimarie were excellent guides and host who gave us a most interesting and informative tour and personal introduction to the Maori history and culture. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to learn more about these fascinating people.

• Connect and reflect

  marinabV4804KU,

  Oct 17, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Definitely a highlight of me and my daughters trip. RangiMarie and Mervyn's love of land whanau and ancestry shine throughout the time we had with them. Communicating and connecting through their illuminating stories and songs as we walked along the beautiful waterfront. We will definitely go on another when next we are in beautiful Whangarei Nga Mihi Nui! and Ka Pai

• An absolute must.

  Kylee E,

  May 26, 2023

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Merv and Rangimarie provide a beautiful and spiritual introduction to Aotearoa and Whangārei, the meeting place of whales. Starting at the spectacular Otuihau, Te Wai Tiketike o Waiangā, or Whangārei Falls. Their honesty, openness and love of their culture radiated and as an Australian Indigenous woman together we built a whakawhanaungatanga that will always stay with me, and I will return one day with a friend to introduce my new Whānau (family). I shared the joy of song, weaving, beautiful kai that met my dietary needs and traditional welcome and farewell. Most importantly I was introduced to O Te Iwi O Tane Mahuta and many other beautiful kauri descended from the Lord Of The Forest, he who gave light to the place we stand. I cannot recommend this beautiful couple enough. If on a limited budget for tours, don’t do a whole pile of cheaper tours, just do this one. You will get more out of your few hours than in any other experience. You will discover the true stories, the spirit and hospitality that can only be shown by the first people of this nation.

• Tell us some more, Merv

  371jonf,

  May 6, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My wife and I were the only two on the tour on this occasion, which was great, as we had Merv all to ourselves. As hosts, Mervyn and Rangiemarie are excellent and support each other for the duration of the tour, which in our case, took a little more than the advertised duration. But that is not a complaint - they gave us so much attention and information that the tour seemed to just fly by. We stopped at a number of locations and were regaled with a lot of historical and cultural information, with some personalised connections to our hosts' histories. Our tour vehicle was comfortable and I don't think anything would have been too much trouble for our hosts. This tour was the main reason we came to Whangarei on our tour of the North Island and I would have to say if you are ever in Whangarei - do this tour!

  
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