Rotorua Maori Hangi and Concert - Rotorua, New Zealand

"Ki mai koe ki a au,
he aha te mea nui tenei ao:
He tangate, he tangate, he tangate."

"If you should ask me what is
the greatest thing in the world,
the answer would be:
it is people, it is people, it is people."

A visit to Rotorua is not complete without participating in a traditional Maori Hangi and Feast. No other dining experience offers such an evening to remember. Tamaki Maori Village will take you on a cultural journey back onto the marae (Maori Village) where the life force of this country's indigenous people is strongest.

The journey through time unfolds when your coach travels to a pre-European village set deep within the forest 15 minutes from Rotorua. The coach turns imaginatively into a Maori canoe (waka) and everyone on board paddles toward the village. Your guide will instruct you on the protocol for visiting Marae (meeting grounds). A chief is selected, a song learnt and the eerie cry of the welcome is heard before entering into a world of ancient Maori and proud warriors.

You will experience the Powhiri (welcome ceremony) before you enter the village with crackling open fires in front of traditional whare (houses). Hear ancient Maori instruments and see the activity of days gone by. In the wharenui (meeting house), Rangiatea culture group offers a powerful display of haka, song and dance. As new friendships are forged, dine on the traditional hangi, where the food is cooked slowly beneath the ground in earthen ovens.