Dining Experiences
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 93% of travellers
93% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$270
per adult
Te Pā Tū
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques. Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 4-course Māori fusion feast. Tū Te Ihi – Winter Matariki Celebration: References the energy and passion stirred by the Matariki cluster and the promise they herald. Tū Te Ihi celebrates a moment in the earth’s cycle when the stars of Matariki (Pleiades) draw our attention. Matariki conjures our ancestors as we recall their legacy, and reflect on the year that has been.
Rotorua, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
5,740 reviews
Excellent
4,200
Very good
1,075
Average
299
Poor
98
Terrible
72
Nettiecooper
13 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
I was on the Kiwi Experience bus which is the best way to do this activity. Only the Kiwi Bus participants get to stay overnight and it was an amazing way to experience Māori culture. Definitely a must do on your trip, despite the cost, because it will make great memories for a lifetime. We were all moved by the cultural performance and also felt a great connection to our hosts - they were friendly, lovely, and very open and willing to share as much of their culture as possible. Highly recommended it!
Written 10 March 2020
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.
ArtPhemister
Chattanooga, TN384 contributions
Mar 2020
We visited Tamaki Maori Village in early March of 2020 and really found it to be interesting and enjoyable. The visit includes a traditional serious greeting and different talks about Maori culture and history. The Maori who are there are very friendly and informative. The visit also includes a dance and song portion as well as a meal. The meal was very good with food being plentiful. The bus ride there and back is also enjoyable with our driver being very entertaining and funny.
Written 21 March 2020
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.
JLandMike
Cochrane, Canada775 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We bought this tour after seeing how highly it’s rated. It was enjoyable but a little commercial for sure. Food was ok, honestly the buffet at Hobbiton was far superior but nevertheless it was a nice way to pass an evening. Bus driver Dennis was cheesy but fun and our teens liked his humor and singing. The setting is really nice and we got some good pics at the start of the tour. Didn’t love the dining hall as it felt really camp-like but again, it was nice to learn a little about the Maori culture.
Written 16 February 2020
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.
Anne-Kristin O
Manly, Australia120 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
If you decide to explore and understand more about the Maori culture I highly recommend you visit a village. Several friends have visited other more authentic villages than this one. It feels extremely touristic with large busses and shuffling people around. The groups of more than 100 people does not feel authentic and therefore the message they want to send is not clear. Very professional singers and happy friendly people does not take away the “tourist” feeling.
Written 19 January 2020
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.
Lesa G
San Diego, CA56 contributions
Feb 2020
This experience is important to understand the culture of NZ but very different than my previous experiences in Tahiti and Hawaii with the Pacific Islanders "tourist shows". We left our hotel by a bus at 5:20 - yeah, on our way. We stopped at a building in town that had us all disembark and go in and watch a movie and a short presentation, then get back on the bus for about a 20 minute additional ride out to the Maori Village. Really hungry by now, excited to be there. It's been an hour. There is a presentation at the beginning where they choose a "chief" from each tourist bus to lead their group throughout a set up of demonstrations of life in the beginnings of their times. This presentation and going through 5 stations of learning was at least an hour more. While this was interesting, I and several other of my group felt like it would be never ending. Finally, after standing in the rain watching the demonstrations at the stations we were escorted indoor to a large building to EAT! But no, it was time for the performance of dancing which was great however very very loud. I was too hangry to pay attention. All my previous experiences had performances during or after the meal. The dancing and clothing is very different from the other islands and was interesting to see. Then, we moved to yet another station to see how they prepared our food by steaming it underground. Sigh.....then we finally got to go into a building and eat the food. It was 8pm. The food was not spectacular, quite bland, I guess that is how they ate back in the day. We were really looking forward to the specialty dessert, a pavlova, but the announcement of it being put out on the serving table was not made or at least not heard by my group. When we realized dessert was available, it was mostly gone, a bowl of canned peaches (?) was all that was left. I spoke with several others about their experience here thinking I was just being a poor sport, but others felt the same. It would be nice if the learning stations were open during or after the meal, same with the performance. So just to recap, you have to stop and see a movie, get to the village and have an opening presentation, go through 5 learning stations of about 10 min each, go to the cooking underground arena, go to the performance (9 places total) and then you eat. Take a granola bar with you.
Written 13 March 2020
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.
Raja
Auckland, New Zealand82 contributions
Jan 2020
An enjoyable evening of cultural performances coupled with delicious culinary feast.
Masterful story telling of the great Maori traditions and culture is something to remember. The interactive sessions, watching the Hangi being prepared and wonderful dinner are something to cherish.
Yes, it comes at a cost which is well spent and worth it.
Masterful story telling of the great Maori traditions and culture is something to remember. The interactive sessions, watching the Hangi being prepared and wonderful dinner are something to cherish.
Yes, it comes at a cost which is well spent and worth it.
Written 12 February 2020
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.
Sandie H
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We were lucky enough to visit at night with a large group and were treated to a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment. I especially loved getting to have a turn at the stick games and learning some local history. Would definitely recommend that people of all ages would enjoy this night time experience. The performers were amazingly talented and kept us entertained for the whole time. Thanks for having us!
Written 8 August 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.
Kia roa Sandie, thank you for your review! Great to hear you enjoyed your experience with us and we agree our evening experience is educational, entertaining and perfect for all ages! Thanks again for your excellent feedback - Nga mihinui Tamaki whānau
Written 9 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah n Pete R
Perth, Australia285 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Did the 5pm show, great education to see the history, well worth the money for the trip out on their bus, show & dinner.
Bus driver did a great job there & back very funny, seeing the Maori culture & the singing I could listen to all night, excellent. The Hungie was really nice food & plenty of it, tasty & tender meats, chicken & lamb & all the veggies. Desert was nice as well. Really worth doing.
Bus driver did a great job there & back very funny, seeing the Maori culture & the singing I could listen to all night, excellent. The Hungie was really nice food & plenty of it, tasty & tender meats, chicken & lamb & all the veggies. Desert was nice as well. Really worth doing.
Written 28 January 2020
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.
David B
Shifnal, UK341 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We were collected from the hotel by coach and it was a 45 minute drive to the venue. Our driver was helpful, informative and entertaining, giving us an insight into the Maori culture. Whilst they obviously pitched this at the Tourists it was well done and various activities were demonstrated which involved audience participation and I got roped in with the other guys for a Hakka.
Next the Hangifeast was dug up and it looked amazing - pork, lamb and vegetables cooked underground. It tasted as good as it looked, and beers and wines were available to purchase, as were coffees.
All in all a great evening
Next the Hangifeast was dug up and it looked amazing - pork, lamb and vegetables cooked underground. It tasted as good as it looked, and beers and wines were available to purchase, as were coffees.
All in all a great evening
Written 20 January 2020
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.
Liz N
Inver Grove Heights, MN290 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
From the kind drivers who pick you up at your hotel, to the neat introductory movie and instructions, to the magical village and greeting you receive on entrance, fun games and activities to participate in, and the delicious meal, I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t enjoy this experience.
I guess the only potential downside is that if you have smaller children and you want to get back earlier, you should probably drive yourself. But the bus ride is really pretty fun as the drivers pick out your chief for the experience, and then on the return ride lead a fun sing-along. At first I thought this was unique to just our driver but then I saw another one of the buses engaging in the same sort of fun as us and I realized they are just trying to give everyone a great experience.
Dress for the weather as a large portion of this event is going to be outside. Those of us perhaps from the States or Canada in total “summer mode“ might have been a little under dressed in shorts and flip-flops on a brisk spring evening. I was pretty impressed with the Maori gentlemen who were pretty chilly without a cloak. But by all means, if you’re as tough as them, go for it!
I guess the only potential downside is that if you have smaller children and you want to get back earlier, you should probably drive yourself. But the bus ride is really pretty fun as the drivers pick out your chief for the experience, and then on the return ride lead a fun sing-along. At first I thought this was unique to just our driver but then I saw another one of the buses engaging in the same sort of fun as us and I realized they are just trying to give everyone a great experience.
Dress for the weather as a large portion of this event is going to be outside. Those of us perhaps from the States or Canada in total “summer mode“ might have been a little under dressed in shorts and flip-flops on a brisk spring evening. I was pretty impressed with the Maori gentlemen who were pretty chilly without a cloak. But by all means, if you’re as tough as them, go for it!
Written 21 January 2020
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.
Hi, we are planning to be there in September 2021. Can I know the opening days please. According to our current plan want to be at Tamaki Maori Village on 21/09. Thank you
Written 7 March 2021
Kia ora Ajantha, sorry I had missed your message previously. I do hope we have the opportunity to host you in September, you will find our availability is loaded up on tripAdvisor now for both experiences in September our award winning Hangi Dinner experience or our new Daytime experience Hui E! Kai E! Nga mihi
Written 3 June 2021
ısmaıl a a
Istanbul, Türkiye
Are there any other alternative preogramms similar with this in Rotorua which can be visited day times and less expensive without catering?
Written 7 January 2020
Are you going to Auckland at all? If so the Museum there has Maori cultural displays every day.
Written 8 January 2020
Do you receive bookings through get.your.guide?.
& honor those bookings no problem?
Written 11 September 2019
Hi! I could not understand the question completely.
You can book the experience through websites of your choice like tripadvisor aka viator, backpackerdeals Klook etc, they would provide you the details of where and what time you should report etc and that's it. I hope your question is answered.
Written 11 September 2019
Is this experience all outdoors? We are going soon and wondering if I need to dress for a very cold outdoor experience?
Written 11 August 2019
Kia ora, the first part of the experience is outdoors for the Pre European Village tour, please dress warm & bring a warm jacket, it does get chilly at night this time of year. We look forward to welcoming you to Tamaki Maori Village soon, Nga Mihi nui,
Written 11 August 2019
If I only take the tour no dinner, is it possible.? Because my family all is vegetarian. Unless there is a vegan or vegetarian menu.
Written 10 July 2019
Let them know in advance and they’ll prepare veggie food :) I had an amazing lasagne - then helped myself to all the delicious veggies too. Save room for pavlova after!
Written 10 July 2019
Is it possible to do an overnight stay without a group? We are two persons traveling trough Aotearoa and would love to do the overnight experience.
Written 5 February 2019
Kia ora, Unfortunately there is a minimum of 10 guests to book the Overnight Marae Stay. The 3.5hr Evening Cultural Experience operates nightly, and is available to book, Nga Mihi nui
Written 6 February 2019
Is it possible to meet directly at the site instead of getting bus pick up, as the schedule is not convenient for us? (We will driving from elsewhere)
Written 5 February 2019
Yes, just find the Meet... option in the long drop-down menu. The address is out of town at Tumurai on SH5,NOT the one shown in Tripadvisor header!
Written 24 February 2019
Is it possible to meet directly at the site instead of getting bus pick up, as the schedule is not convenient for us? (We will driving from elsewhere)
Written 5 February 2019
Yes, you can drive directly to the village if you want too. But I would recommend at LEAST driving into town and meeting the buses at the office, the Bus ride was so fun and one of the highlights of the night, the drivers are awesome 😊
Written 5 February 2019
Hi
If I book for the 5pm experience does this mean the evening will be finished about 8:30pm? I will be driving there myself would it be advisable to get there early, if so how earlier?
Thanks
Written 28 December 2018
Kia ora, yes our 5pm show will have you back in the city centre by 8.30pm. We advise our guests to meet at our Booking office at 4.15pm that is where you board our bus & where the experience starts, Nga Mihi nui,
Written 28 December 2018
Hi can I take my 3 year old ? Is the hangi dairy , nuts and egg free ? My 3 year old has allergy
Written 9 December 2018
Kia ora! You most definitely can & at the time of booking our Reservations team will provide you with the items your child can safely eat from our menu. We will also give you with an alternative dessert option too.
You are welcome to book directly via our website.
Thanks for the question, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
Please
Written 13 December 2018
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