On our very first trip to New Zealand back in 2004, we visited Tamaki Māori Village Rotorua a relatively new cultural site in the area and one that left a lasting impact on us and our knowledge of Māori food, dance, and stories.
Returning with our children some 15 years later, we knew that Tamaki Māori Village Rotorua had to be at the top of our Rotorua Bucket List.
On this trip we were guest of Tamaki Māori Village, however all views remain our own.
Tamaki Māori Village Rotorua with Kids
Table of Contents
The Māori Culture
When visiting any destination we think it is a priority of us to learn about the local culture, in particular, to hear from first nation voices and to invest our money in experiences that increase our knowledge. The Māori have called New Zealand home for at least 700 years developing a rich and distinct culture.
The Māori were great horticulturalists and hunters and lived in tribal groups very much like those in other eastern Polynesian areas. However, the Māori also developed a prominent warrior culture who had a strong link with the ocean. They were also artisans.
At least, this is what we learned from books before we travelled to New Zealand. We wanted to understand the culture in a little more depth and hear it from Māori people themselves. A trip to Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua with the kids would provide this opportunity.
Tamaki Māori Village
The Tamaki Māori Village genesis was in 1989 when brothers Doug and Mike Tamaki set about creating a cultural storytelling experience for visitors to Rotorua. The brother’s vision has continued to evolve, and today, some 30 years later, the Tamaki Māori Village is one of New Zealand’s premier tourist attractions.
An evening at Tamaki Māori Village promises to educate visitors about the Māori culture through an immersive, hands-on experience which culminates in an incredible feast. It is family friendly, and quite an exciting evening.
Is Tamaki Māori Village the real thing?
Before you visit, Tamaki Māori Village recreates the Māori life experience of the past. It provides a glimpse into what life was once like, before European colonisation. Contemporary Māori people of today are included in all facets of New Zealand life and are politician, sports stars, doctors, teachers, laborers, fishermen and more. They no longer live in villages like what you will see at Tamaki Māori Village, however many still practice the skills that you will see at this attraction, but to keep the culture alive rather than a necessity.
Tamaki Māori Village is a reenactment of what life was like for the Māori, just like Australia’s Sovereign Hill provides a glimpse into life during the Ballarat Goldrush. It is a fantastic representation of Māori customs from the past and quite possibly the easiest way for children to understand the time. It is also owned and run by Māori people to boot!
Arrival and Welcome | Tamaki Māori Village
Most visitors are transported to the Tamaki Māori Village by coach from Rotorua. Along the way, the driver will engage everyone in some light entertainment which introduces visitors to some basic Māori words and customs. At some point, a Māori chief will be selected (volunteer for this if you can) and this person will become part of the welcome on arrival whilst also being first to each event at the village. I wish Tee had put his hand up!
On arrival at Tamaki Māori Village you move with your group to the meeting place outside the village walls. It is here that you will watch (unless you were selected chief – then you get to participate) in the traditional greeting and welcome. It could be scary for some smaller children, so keep them close!
Traditional Māori Life
After being welcomed to Tamaki Māori Village you will move into the grounds with your group where you will move around to a number of stations learning about different aspects of traditional Māori life. It is all outdoors.
At each station, visitors listen to a description of a traditional Māori custom including the art of tattoos and their meaning, warfare, canoe creation, craft and dance. This is followed by a demonstration and often an opportunity for audience participation. Of course, there is ample time to ask questions too.
Kapa Haka – Traditional Māori Performing Arts
Kapa haka is the term for Māori performing arts and literally means to form a line (kapa) and dance (haka). After exploring the village and watching the hangi being uncovered, visitors to the Tamaki Māori Village are then delighted by a Kapa Haka in the marae.
During the Kapa Haka performance, the Tamaki team delight the crowd with traditional song, dance, war dances and story. I noticed that some people in the audience found it a little emotionally overwhelming at times and needed tissues, so take some along with you.
The Māori Hangi
The evening culminates in a spectacular feast. In the South Pacific, food was often cooked in underground ovens. The Māori version of this is a Hangi.
As Rotorua has quite an active volcanic earth, the process was a little easier in the area. The traditional process sees large rocks heated in a large fire for a few hours. While this is happening a large pit is created in the ground which will be used as an oven. Once the rocks are hot enough, they are placed at the bottom of the pit with a layer of earth then placed over them. Wet sacks are then placed over the earth layer and upon them, the baskets of meat and root vegetables. More wet sacks are then layered on top before earth is used to cover the hole. The heat of the rocks turns the moisture in the sacks into steam which circulates around the meat and root vegetables for a few hours.
The unearthing of the Hangi is something everyone visiting Tamaki Māori Village gets to see. On our visit, there was such an enormous volume of food cooked in this way that the audience actually gasped when we saw it all. The smell was delightful and I’m pretty sure a few tummies grumbled in anticipation.
Heading Home
After dinner, it is time to say goodbye to the Tamaki Māori Village. It is important to remember which coach you came on as you will board that bus to head back into Rotorua. Just when you thought the entertainment ended, it is likely that your driver will start up some whole bus singing! Be prepared for the roundabout!
Booking Your Visit to Tamaki Māori Village
Visiting Tamaki Māori Village is a 3.5-hour Māori cultural experience with a courtesy pick up and drop off from central Rotorua accommodation. This immersive experience includes an Interactive tour of the pre-European village, hands-on cultural activities and a traditional dinner and dessert buffet feast. For full details, head to www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz
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Visiting New Zealand
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