{"id":686,"date":"2021-11-15T15:48:14","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T15:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/maori-cultural-experience\/"},"modified":"2023-08-08T13:09:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T13:09:11","slug":"maori-cultural-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/maori-cultural-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiencing Maori Culture In The Tamaki Maori Village In Rotorua"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/maori-cultural-experience\/#My_experience_in_the_Tamaki_Maori_Village\" >My experience in the Tamaki Maori Village<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><a href=\"javascript:\"><\/a>Nestled in a thick endemic Tawa forest\u00a0where native bird species are heard chorusing amidst the canopy. The late afternoon sun creates crepuscular rays through a soft haze, drawing your attention to the nearby log fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A<\/strong>\u00a0distant horn bellows in the distance and an authentic Maori war chant makes the hair on the back of your neck stand to attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A traditional Maori war canoe sails into view and the warriors aboard disembark ready to meet their guests with an ancient acceptance ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My mind was encapsulated and I couldn\u2019t take my eyes away from all the bulging eyes, protruding tongues, and archaic weapons skilfully mastered by the warriors no more than a few steps in front of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tamaki Maori Village boasts being\u00a0\u201cNew Zealand\u2019s Most Awarded Tourism Attraction\u201d\u00a0and it\u2019s easy to see why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first initiation ceremony is worth the entry price alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12050068099\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_experience_in_the_Tamaki_Maori_Village\"><\/span>My experience in the Tamaki Maori Village <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Tamaki Maori Village Experience\" class=\"wp-image-12275\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-2.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-2-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The attention to detail, the fascinating stories, and the interactive activities made our experience\u00a0in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/rotorua-l1398\/rotorua-tamaki-maori-village-culture-experience-with-dinner-t427666\/?partner_id=TYYOXUU&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;placement=content-middle&amp;cmp=Tamaki_Maori_Village\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/rotorua-l1398\/rotorua-tamaki-maori-village-culture-experience-with-dinner-t427666\/?partner_id=TYYOXUU&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;placement=content-middle&amp;cmp=Tamaki_Maori_Village\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tamaki Maori village<\/a>\u00a0one of the most profound to date.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the moment we walked through the impressive hand-carved arch marking the entrance to the village, we were made to feel like the only people in the entire audience. Put another way, at times it felt like there was no audience at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12276\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-3.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-3-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The village is located a short\u00a015-minute drive out of Rotorua\u00a0and was founded in 1989 by two Maori brothers. Their entrepreneurial spirit, their love of story-telling and teaching about the old Maori ways, made the Tamaki Maori Village an instant success.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We really appreciated the emotion and atmosphere created in the village.\u00a0Not once did it feel like a forced show shoving old Maori culture down your throat but a relaxed, yet still intense, introduction to the Maori way of life, both pre and post-European colonization<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12274\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-1.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the greeting ceremony was over we had the chance to learn at 5 separate interactive Whares. Whares, pronounced far-ehs, is the Maori word for house.\u00a0Men learned the Haka, we learned how Maori children mastered hand-eye coordination, where the Maori came from, the meaning of Maori facial tattoos and symbols, and\u00a0women had the opportunity to learn how to poi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Poi, the Maori word for ball, were used to teach female members of the tribe coordination, to strengthen their upper body and induce flexibility in the hands needed for basket weaving.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The details and facts were presented in a manner suitable for all ages and all languages. Jokes were made often, and our group was often in fits of laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"626\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-5.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12198\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-5.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-5-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-5-768x511.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once we\u2019d had our fair share of learning we were ushered into a small theatre to be present at the removal of our Hangi. A Hangi is a meal, that has been cooked underground with white hot rocks similar to the Samoan Umo and the Fijian Lovo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The food came out and smelt delicious. Chicken, lamb, and fish were available for the meat eaters plus lots of traditional vegetables.\u00a0The leader of the tribe welcomed us to a performance of the Haka and several other traditional dances whilst the on-site chefs continued to prepare our Kai (food in Maori). \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-6.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12277\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-6.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-6-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-6-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With our front-row seats to the performance, the Haka was as intimidating as ever and I thoroughly enjoyed the love songs and Taiaha performances. The Taiaha is a close-quarters weapon similar to staff and is usually made out of wood or whalebone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The entertainment must have taken some serious practice, lots of throwing and catching, and several longer routines that must have taken years of practice.\u00a0All the members of the staff were also fantastic singers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost everything being translated from Maori into English made the authenticity even more palpable. A really exquisite touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-7.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12278\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-7.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-7-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-7-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Then came the food. It was presented nicely on\u00a0two long tables with plenty of food for everyone. If something ran out, it was replaced instantaneously, and it was\u00a0all just as tasty as it smelled.\u00a0Seconds, thirds, and fourths were encouraged.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-8.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12279\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-8.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-8-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tamaki-Maori-Village-8-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With a final speech, a thank you, a few songs, and a big Kia Ora (Have life, be well\/health in Maori). We were on our way. The only regret I had whilst leaving was not to have booked the overnight stay instead of the evening experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tamaki Maori Village is an enriching cultural experience that is fun for all ages\u00a0but what sold it to me, and the main reason that I\u2019m recommending it to you, is that it\u00a0never felt forced, repetitive, or dishonest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The experience is of great value and certainly, a must-do if you want to get a taste and give support to the Maori culture and language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just a few decades ago the Maori language and culture were on the brink of extinction. Today it goes through its new spring. It will never be what it used to be hundreds of years ago, but thanks to tourism it has a chance at surviving!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:24px\">You can book your Tamaki Maori Village experience below<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-gyg-href=\"https:\/\/widget.getyourguide.com\/default\/availability.frame\" data-gyg-tour-id=\"115647\" data-gyg-locale-code=\"en-US\" data-gyg-currency=\"NZD\" data-gyg-widget=\"availability\" data-gyg-variant=\"horizontal\" data-gyg-partner-id=\"TYYOXUU\" data-gyg-cmp=\"Maori_village_widget\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nestled in a thick endemic Tawa forest\u00a0where native bird species are heard chorusing amidst the canopy. The late afternoon sun creates crepuscular rays through a soft haze, drawing your attention to the nearby log fire. A\u00a0distant horn bellows in the distance and an authentic Maori war chant makes the hair on the back of your &#8230; <a title=\"Experiencing Maori Culture In The Tamaki Maori Village In Rotorua\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/maori-cultural-experience\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Experiencing Maori Culture In The Tamaki Maori Village In Rotorua\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-zealand-travel-tips-and-activities","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=686"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21820,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions\/21820"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}