Maunga Hikurangi
Maunga Hikurangi
5
Cultural Tours4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursEco ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
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About
Explore our unforgettable experiences and sacred sites. Be the first in the world to see the sun rise on the sacred site of Maunga Hikurangi or join us for a day experience. A Ngati Porou guide will transport you up the maunga to the sacred whakairo (carvings) and tell the stories representing Maui and Ngati Porou descendants.
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5.0
18 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
MACE N
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
This was the first time I had taken the time to journey up Hikurangi and stand with my tipuna as the pou welcomed in a new day.
To say that it was a special moment would be an understatement .
Monty made the journey that much more meaningful with his insights, He exceeded expectations in every facet of the role he has in being an exceptional host. I would recommend going up with Monty to everyone, yes it does cost, but the value of having such an informed, gracious and genuine host is incalculable, you know the money is going to the best of causes.
I cannot wait to experience another bucket list moment which would be to return with my children and share with them just how stunningly beautiful our maunga is and how welcoming our our host and indeed our tipuna are.
Kind regards
Mace Ngata.
To say that it was a special moment would be an understatement .
Monty made the journey that much more meaningful with his insights, He exceeded expectations in every facet of the role he has in being an exceptional host. I would recommend going up with Monty to everyone, yes it does cost, but the value of having such an informed, gracious and genuine host is incalculable, you know the money is going to the best of causes.
I cannot wait to experience another bucket list moment which would be to return with my children and share with them just how stunningly beautiful our maunga is and how welcoming our our host and indeed our tipuna are.
Kind regards
Mace Ngata.
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariette K
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Solo
Te Urunga-Tu/Sunrise Experience was amazing and well worth the early start - the views are beautiful, up and down the Maunga. Each carving has their own story, and the very knowledgeable tour guide Monty shared his extensive knowledge about the carvings, the history of the area, the Maunga and the stories of ngati porou. I highly recommend this tour.
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
toddsE7017CO
Waiau Pa, Auckland15 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
The very first place to see the sun, steeped in Māori Legend. Our host ‘Monty Manuel’ was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and showed us such manaakitanga. What a truely special trip. Thank you for sharing ‘Ngati Porou’s’ sacred Maunga with us.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abvwilson
Bexleyheath, UK41 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
What a wonderful experience! Truly felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity!
This is an early start but it is totally worth it. We were lucky enough to find an Air b n b a 10 minute drive away near Ruatoria which meant we didn’t have to travel too far or get up as early.
Monty is a great quide, he has such extensive knowledge of the area, the carvings, the landscape and New Zealand in general and was more than happy to try to answer any and every question we had. Learning about the carvings was great. The site has been so carefully thought out to tell Maui’s story and it was lovely hearing about his origins-(Moana is my only knowledge of Maui and it definitely doesn’t tell his story).
We were given plenty of time to self explore the site and take as many photos as we liked-Monty is also happy to help out with the pictures and videos.
The ride up in the ATV is a little bumpy but that all added to the fun of the whole experience. One thing to note is that the weather is not guaranteed. We were lucky enough to have an amazing sunrise but a fair amount of cloud in the area.
Monty had extra jackets on hand which was great as we went on a particularly windy day and we needed them. Hot tea and coffee is also provided as well as a lovely muesli, yoghurt and local honey breakfast which you eat while overlooking the valley and the sunrise-amazing!
Cannot recommend this tour enough!
This is an early start but it is totally worth it. We were lucky enough to find an Air b n b a 10 minute drive away near Ruatoria which meant we didn’t have to travel too far or get up as early.
Monty is a great quide, he has such extensive knowledge of the area, the carvings, the landscape and New Zealand in general and was more than happy to try to answer any and every question we had. Learning about the carvings was great. The site has been so carefully thought out to tell Maui’s story and it was lovely hearing about his origins-(Moana is my only knowledge of Maui and it definitely doesn’t tell his story).
We were given plenty of time to self explore the site and take as many photos as we liked-Monty is also happy to help out with the pictures and videos.
The ride up in the ATV is a little bumpy but that all added to the fun of the whole experience. One thing to note is that the weather is not guaranteed. We were lucky enough to have an amazing sunrise but a fair amount of cloud in the area.
Monty had extra jackets on hand which was great as we went on a particularly windy day and we needed them. Hot tea and coffee is also provided as well as a lovely muesli, yoghurt and local honey breakfast which you eat while overlooking the valley and the sunrise-amazing!
Cannot recommend this tour enough!
Written 6 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nana
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
totally impressed with staff, Monty is a phenonenal communicator he was funny a repository of lengends and history and tribal and hapu stories. Open air buggy was safe and provided laughs and spectacular views on way up and down. At top we were blown away with the impact of the seeing the taonga nd hearing their background legends. The beauty and magic of the vista was all around us. After the stories and legends were told we were treated with the a delicious picnic lunch. We're already organised our next trip. This is an essential whanau experience.
Written 8 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fizzlepuff
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Very powerful experience. An adventure worth the early morning start. Rugged ATV carts you right up to the site just as the sky begins to glow. Watch the sun peek over the horizon and colour the mountains nearby. Learn the legends of maoridom and about the construction and placement of these giant pou. Informative fun and impressive.
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quest13542646497
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Maunga Hikurangi is something all New Zealanders should aim to do. The stories, the views, the information provided by our guide Monty of Ngati Porou were all exceptional. We learnt so much immersed in a stunning location - a top-rated adventure. Everything perfect.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabeth E
Auckland, New Zealand41 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
My son and I went up Mt Hikurangi in the school holidays and from the moment we met Monty we knew we were in safe and knowledgeable hands. Heading up the farm tracks in the epic Can Am, we admired the landscape and sheep (high performance Romney no less) and the views just kept getting more and more epic. At the site of the phenomenal carvings, Monty shared the stories of Ngati Porou - just fascinating. The picnic was delicious and elegantly presented in such a way as to generate to rubbish. A most excellent adventure for visitors from far and near.
Written 23 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Elisabeth,
Thank you so much for the lovely review, we are so glade you got to enjoy our experience.
Hopefully we will see you again one day,
Nga mihi,
Jacque
Written 27 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick B
Auckland, New Zealand6 contributions
Apr 2021
Monty, Rangi and Fred did a fantastic private tour for us it was an amazing experience and a efficient organisation. The views are awesome and so are the crosses. Thanks guys Patrick and troops.
Written 29 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rochelle L
Napier, New Zealand16 contributions
Apr 2021
Day tour: What an awesome trip. We were met by Eddy, lovely bloke. Driven thru some stunning back country NZ. Onto a farm where we changed to off road vehicle. Terrain was spectacular and we are Kiwi's! Arriving at the top, planting a fern, looking at the carvings and views. But what made it special was all the information that Eddy provided. All the detail that we would have missed if it wasnt for his narrative. I found all the Maori legend fascinating. Afterwards, a lovely bite to eat and then headed back down. I thought it was great value for money considering the approx 4 hours involved. I would recommend to anyone traveling around East Cape to experience this very cool experience and support local business
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can this tour be completed by a solo traveler or do you need a group?
Written 3 January 2020
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