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 - Māori cuisine
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 7.30pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 5.00pm (Oct-Apr)
Pickup included
Te Pā Tū - 6.15pm (May-Sept)
Pickup included
Reviews
1,547 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Overpriced but ok
115dr,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Quite disappointing despite the cost The staff are friendly and the entertainment was ok Unfortunately the evening was ruined due to rain so we basically watched a show in the hall. We didn’t get to see the village. I dont feel like we learnt much or experienced anything traditional although the singing was quite entertaining. The food served was nice but we were sharing with strangers. That felt a little uncomfortable and it wasn’t what we expected. It was restaurant food rather than traditional food that we had expected It was an ok but very overpriced evening.
Put on you to do!
Yann2002,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very great experience, from the pick up to the return at hotel : great show, I learnt a lot through the various little activities and had a great dinner!
Must do! Terrific Maori Experience and Dinner
jackieandbillp,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a 3.5 hour cultural experience ending with a traditional Maori dinner which was delicious! They pick you up at your hotel. The immersive experience begins when you enter the village with a tradional Maori greeting and dance. You walk through the village stopping at different sites where you learn Maori games and get to participate. Delicious canapes are served at each stop. I really appreciated that they split the group into thirds so it was manageable to learn about the culture and participate. There was great music and dance. The multiple course dinner was delicious and much more than we could eat. Each dish was served with an explanation regarding what it was, etc. It finished with a great dessert and then we were all offered wrapped cookies to take home. Worth every penny!
Wonderful experience
Christine A,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a wonderful evening learning more about Māori culture. The family was so welcoming and they are amazingly talented singers and performers. The food was also delicious and very plentiful. Thank you for sharing the evening with us and my deepest condolences for the recent passing of your tribal elders. Kia Ora 🩷
Bad experience
Irma M,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Don’t contract with you guys never went through us and left us waiting like fools, very bad experience and waiting for the refund of my 4 person tour
Highly recommend this...
Deirdre F,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend this when on Rotorua, I learned so much about the Māori culture through song and dance. The food was amazing, we were stuffed heading home. Truly a worthwhile experience.
Wonderful experience
Wilf M,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous experience, felt very welcomed. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. Food was delicious. Would highly recommend.
Buy this experience!
Mark D,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Omg! If you are looking for an immersive experience into Māori culture than stop right here! From our tour guide, villagers and the chefs and food it was all fantastic. Being educated on the culture and traditions of the Māori people while also participating was so much fun. The food was so well cooked and delicious. Would 100% recommend!
great adventure
Happiness33267628580,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00excellent experience with my family, picked up from my accommodation and taken to their village for very informative session on Māori culture. dinner was awesome and the singing.
Overnighter
KevinKo,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great place for an overnighter. Nice view porch to enjoy some drinks and a pizza. Easy check in....and if you are late they set up a remote check in.
From NZ$270.00
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