Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū
Overview
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.
What's Included
- Traditional welcome ceremony
- Māori fusion feast
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Māori Cultural Performance
- Return transport from central Meeting Point
- Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
If you are staying at a major hotel in Rotorua we will pick you up from the main reception area. Please note that you must be an inhouse guest of the accommodation.If you are not, please meet at our TE PA TU Gathering Place, 1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua, and we will take you to our village from here. From 5pm, there is plenty of parking available and it is free. Do you have any dietary requirements we need to know about?
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.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-2295HANGI
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.80 out of 5 stars based on 1,625 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Traditional welcome ceremony.
- Māori fusion feast.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Māori Cultural Performance.
- Return transport from central Meeting Point.
- Alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic Beverages.
- Gratuities.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Traditional welcome ceremony
- Māori fusion feast
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Māori Cultural Performance
- Return transport from central Meeting Point
- Alcoholic beveragesAlcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers
