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Te Puia - Guided Tour
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Maori
- Rotorua
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More Information and Bookings
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Nau Mai, Haere Mai. Welcome to Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori culture and geothermal visitor experience. Te Puia offers you, through our people, our art and our many onsite experiences, an opportunity to sense our history and feel our living culture.
The spirit of Te Puia's daily Maori Cultural Performances, Kapa Haka, is to learn, to enjoy and also to be uplifted. Maori performers will sense the weary and focus their energy intently. It is irresistible.
You will also experience the wonders of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, our foundation as New Zealand's most iconic tourist attraction. With this we incorporate the traditions of guiding and hospitality that New Zealand and international visitors have experienced here for almost 120 years.
Guided Tours
At Te Puia, guiding is as natural as humour. It is in our bones. Many guides are the sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the guides of old. To this day, many of our guides and staff are the direct descendants of the original people who settled in this valley. They tell stories that have been told for generations and share their own. The special connection guides have with the land and its' history ensures tours at Te Puia are unlike any other in New Zealand.
While visitors may wander and discover at their leisure, the guided tours for groups and individuals are a popular choice and it starts upon arrival.
Tour Route
Guided Tours leave on the hour every hour from the main courtyard, and a guide will always be at the front entrance to greet group tours. The first thing visitors must see is a human face, not a gate!
Before entering the carving school, visitors stroll through the gallery of photographs and history of Te Puia.
Visit Te Wananga Whakairo, The Carving School, a moment that not only allows visitors to see and talk to carving students but also realise their own worth to Te Puia. Tourism revenue funds our schools enabling descendants to learn the traditional art.
Visit Rotowhio Marae, the site of a fortified village. It is here where daily cultural concerts, Kapa Haka, occur under the gaze of carved ancestors.
Te Rito, the Weaving School, is sister to the carving school and is also dedicated to preserving the ancient craft. Weaving of baskets, clothing was a practical part of Maori survival and like carving, each strand had a purpose and story.
Our Kiwi House is dedicated to survival of New Zealand's national endangered bird, the Kiwi. Our Kiwi pair, Kenny and Colorado have flourished, becoming the first kiwi birds born in captivity without human intervention or artificial incubation.
Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley is a raw and powerful journey into a thermal wonderland some 40,000 years old. Mud pools, hissing steam and geysers pay tribute to the presence of Mother Nature. The most famous geyser, Pohutu, meaning big splash, can erupt up to 30 metres high in front of you. There's no other geyser in the world this accessible.
Te Puia
In the Maori world, connections between people are integral to the fabric of our culture. Whakapapa (shared origins) define that world, and these relationships are maintained and honoured throughout the generations.
At Te Puia, you will experience this world, where our guides proudly recount stories handed down from their ancestors. These are the people who will welcome and befriend you, just as they always have. Through this connection you too will become part of the heritage that is Te Puia.
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Address
Hemo Road
Rotorua
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Click Here for More Information and Bookings
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