Living Maori Village Tour (Whakarewarewa)

Your tour will begin at the Port of Tauranga, where you will meet our guide at the port's gate. If you are not travelling by cruise ship, we can arrange an alternative pickup point to suit you. Your guide will provide informative commentary throughout the day, highlighting all points of interest.

Our Rotorua tour commences with a short 10-minute stop at Mount Maunganui Main Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand, where morning sun photos are a must.

On the way to Rotorua, marvel at the lush Bay of Plenty countryside as we pass forests, lakes, orchards, beaches, and more. We will stop at a kiwifruit orchard, where you can see firsthand how these iconic fruits are grown. Our guide will explain the kiwifruit growing process and history, and you will have the opportunity to taste different varieties of kiwifruit, Manuka honey, and other kiwifruit-based products. You will see kiwifruit growing on the vines and gain detailed insight into the cultivation process.

We then continue through scenic pine forests and stunning landscapes. If we are lucky, we may also see white-water rafters navigating the river flowing from Lake Rotoiti, one of the region’s thirteen lakes.

If time permits, we will stop at the Redwood Forest for a pleasant short walk. Lunch or a coffee break can be enjoyed at a nice café in Rotorua.

Next, we will visit the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa, where you will learn about the unique Maori way of life and enjoy an authentic cultural experience. This is the only place where you can see local Maori people living in a traditional village set within an active geothermal area.

Whakarewarewa Highlights:

Experience life as a local at Whakarewarewa Village, a real village built among an active geothermal valley. An insightful one-hour guided tour led by a village resident is included.

See bubbling mud pools, boiling hot pools, and the powerful Pohutu Geyser, the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. It won’t take long to understand why Rotorua is nicknamed the “Sulphur City.”

Enjoy an authentic 30-minute cultural performance by Te Pakira, one of Rotorua’s leading performance groups. Experience traditional songs, chants, poi dancing, and the famous war dance, the Haka.

Learn how Maori people have adapted to this unique environment by using natural geothermal resources in their everyday lives.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy Rotorua’s famous sights, including the beautiful lakefront, city centre, Government Gardens, and the Polynesian Spa.

On the return journey, we will take a different, more scenic route back to Tauranga. If time permits, we will stop briefly at the Tauranga CBD waterfront before dropping you back at your ship well before departure.

Travel through the Bay of Plenty’s beautiful countryside to Rotorua and enjoy a cultural shore excursion to a living Maori village in the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. In addition, enjoy a visit to a kiwifruit orchard, sightseeing around Rotorua city, and views of the famous Polynesian Spa.