Winners of both the Tourism Excellence Award (Small – Medium Business) and Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2024.

Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques.Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a Māori fusion feast.

Tū Te Ihi – Winter Matariki Celebration (May - September):

Tū Te Ihi references the energy and passion stirred by the Matariki cluster and the promise they herald. Tū Te Ihi celebrates a moment in the earth’s cycle when the stars of Matariki (Pleiades) draw our attention. Matariki conjures our ancestors as we recall their legacy, and reflect on the year that has been. 

Watch our Tū Te Ihi video for a glimpse of your experience

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting) 
• Forest canapes
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif 
• Māori-fusion feast
• Complimentary return transport from central Rotorua

Please note:

• Te Pā Tū is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for additional bar purchases.
• Children welcome.
• Wheelchair and child buggy accessible.

Guests are picked up from selected Rotorua CBD hotels at 8.30am and hosted by a Wai-O-Tapu guide, who shares stories of the area's unique landscape, history and cultural significance along the journey. At Wai-O-Tapu, you'll experience the Lady Knox Geyser presentation, enjoy morning tea and then join a guided tour through one of New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attractions.

Complete your experience with an evening at Te Pā Tū, either later that day or the evening before, for an immersive celebration of culture, storytelling, kai (food) and connection.

As night falls beneath the towering tawa forest, you'll be welcomed into Te Pā Tū and experience powerful cultural performances, seasonal cuisine inspired by the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), and authentic Māori hospitality in an unforgettable forest setting.

Wai-O-Tapu Morning Experience:

• Return transfers from selected Rotorua CBD accommodation
• Hosted experience from pick-up
• Lady Knox Geyser presentation
• Morning tea
• Guided tour of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Return to Rotorua accommodation

Te Pā Tū Evening Experience:

• Available either the same day or the evening before
• Return transfers from selected Rotorua accommodation
• Immersive Māori cultural experience
• Seasonal four-course feast
• Live cultural performance
• Storytelling and authentic manaakitanga

Itinerary

• 
  8:30am – Pick up from selected Rotorua CBD accommodation
  


• 
  9:45am – Arrive at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  


• 
  10:15am – Lady Knox Geyser presentation
  


• 
  10:45am – Morning tea
  


• 
  11:15am – Guided walk through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  


• 
  12:30pm – Depart Wai-O-Tapu
  


• 
  1:15pm – Return to Rotorua CBD accommodation

- BREAK

• 
  4:15pm – Te Pā Tū pick-up 


• 
  5:00pm – Te Pā Tū Evening Experience begins
  


• 
  9:00pm – Experience concludes, with return transfers to Rotorua CBD accommodation

Journey into one of New Zealand's most extraordinary geothermal landscapes on a hosted morning experience to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Following collection from selected Rotorua accommodation, travel through the volcanic heart of the region with a knowledgeable local host who shares stories of the area's unique geology, history and cultural significance.

Arrive in time to witness the famous Lady Knox Geyser, an impressive geothermal eruption reaching heights of up to 20 metres, before enjoying a relaxing morning tea.

Your experience continues with a guided walk through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where you'll discover vibrant mineral terraces, steaming craters, bubbling mud pools and colourful geothermal formations unlike anywhere else in New Zealand. Every step reveals the incredible natural forces that continue to shape this remarkable landscape.

Following your guided experience, you'll return comfortably to Rotorua, arriving back early afternoon with plenty of time to continue exploring the region—or to complement your day with an evening experience at Te Pā Tū.

Experience Includes

• Return transfers from selected Rotorua CBD accommodation
• Hosted transfer from pick-up
• Lady Knox Geyser presentation
• Morning tea
• Guided Wai-O-Tapu experience
• Return transfer to Rotorua accommodation
  

Good to Know

• Minimum of 2 guests required.
• Suitable for all ages.
• Track One is fully accessible.
• Comfortable walking footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
• Dietary requirements for morning tea can be accommodated when advised at the time of booking.

Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes (8:30am–1:15pm)

Itinerary

• 
  8:30am – Pick up from selected Rotorua CBD accommodation
  


• 
  9:45am – Arrive at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  


• 
  10:15am – Lady Knox Geyser presentation
  


• 
  10:45am – Morning tea
  


• 
  11:15am – Guided walk through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  


• 
  12:30pm – Depart Wai-O-Tapu
  


• 
  1:15pm – Return to Rotorua CBD accommodation

Experience an unforgettable afternoon exploring the natural wonders of Taupō and Rotorua before returning to Te Pā Tū for our signature evening experience. This guided half-day tour combines heart-pumping thrills with awe-inspiring geothermal landscapes, offering a deep connection to the land and its stories. Let us take care of the journey as you relax, learn, and enjoy some of Aotearoa’s most iconic attractions.

Inclusions:

• Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland – Explore colourful hot springs, volcanic craters, and the famous Champagne Pool.
• 2.30pm Awa Jetboat Ride – High-speed jet boat ride through the mighty Waikato River rapids.
• Te Pā Tū Evening Experience – Immerse yourself in a degustation of Māori culture and cuisine across 3.5 hours of multi award winning storytelling, performance, and feasting.
• Lunch
• Transfers throughout the day – Comfortable transport between all locations.
• Driver/Guide – Friendly and knowledgeable guide to enrich your journey.

Pick-up: 12:00PM | Drop-off: 8:30PM

Winners of both the Tourism Excellence Award (Small – Medium Business) and Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2024.

Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques.Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a Māori fusion feast.

Tū Te Ihi – Winter Matariki Celebration (May - September):

Tū Te Ihi references the energy and passion stirred by the Matariki cluster and the promise they herald. Tū Te Ihi celebrates a moment in the earth’s cycle when the stars of Matariki (Pleiades) draw our attention. Matariki conjures our ancestors as we recall their legacy, and reflect on the year that has been. 

Watch our Tū Te Ihi video for a glimpse of your experience

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting) 
• Forest canapes
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif 
• Māori-fusion feast
• Complimentary return transport from central Rotorua

Please note:

• Te Pā Tū is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for additional bar purchases.
• Children welcome.
• Wheelchair and child buggy accessible.

Winners of both the Tourism Excellence Award (Small – Medium Business) and Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2024.

Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques.Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 4-course Māori fusion feast.

Tū Te Rā – Summer Harvest Celebration:

Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.

Watch our Tū Te Rā video for a glimpse of your experience

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting) 
• Forest canapes
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif 
• Three course Māori-fusion feast
• Complimentary return transport from central Rotorua

Please note:

• TE PĀ TŪ is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for additional bar purchases.
• Children welcome.
• Wheelchair and child buggy accessible.

Winners of both the Tourism Excellence Award (Small – Medium Business) and Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2024.

Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques.Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 4-course Māori fusion feast.

Tū Te Rā – Summer Harvest Celebration (October - April):

Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.

Watch our Tū Te Rā video for a glimpse of your experience

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting) 
• Forest canapes
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif 
• Three course Māori-fusion feast
• Complimentary return transport from central Rotorua

Please note:

• TE PĀ TŪ is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for additional bar purchases.

• Children welcome.

• Wheelchair and child buggy accessible.

Winners of both the Māori Tourism Award and Resilience & Innovation Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023.

Te Pā Tū offers 3.5 hour evening experiences that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) - its towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Traditional hāngi joins seasonal Māori delicacies prepared with fusion cooking techniques.Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared through rituals, songs, stories across the evening as is local, seasonal kai (food) - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) are followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 4-course Māori fusion feast.

Tū Te Rā – Summer Harvest Celebration:

Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.

Watch our Tū Te Rā video for a glimpse of your experience

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting) 
• Forest canapes
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif 
• Three course Māori-fusion feast
• Complimentary return transport from central Rotorua

Please note:

• TE PĀ TŪ is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for additional bar purchases.
• Children welcome.
• Wheelchair and child buggy accessible.

An exclusive immersive experience offered by Te Pā Tū, where the richness of te ao Māori unfolds through the senses. From the aroma of native botanicals, to the taste of traditionally inspired cuisine, Karaka weaves together storytelling, land, and legacy.

Your Kakara experience will be hosted by an elder, artist, chef, or kaihaka (haka performer), who will guide manuhiri (guests) in deepening their connection with the whenua (land), the wisdom of Māori tradition, and the kai (food) that nourishes both body and spirit.

Inclusions:

• Private transfer ex Rotorua or Taupō
• Haka pōhiri (welcome ceremony) in the summer
• Ahi tuku (fire ceremony) across winter
• A personal cultural expert host
• Forest kai horotai (canapes)
• Private four-course degustation hākari (feast)
• Wine or non-alcoholic beverage pairing
• A bespoke private kapahaka performance
• A private poroporoaki (farewell) ceremony

Please note:

• Kakara is a private, buy-out experience for up to 10 guests at the flat rate of $10,000.
• Your booking is not confirmed until full payment has been received and written confirmation provided by Te Pā Tū. 
• Return transfers are included for guests staying in Rotorua or Taupō. Exact pickup time will be confirmed once accommodation details are provided.
• Preferred start time will be confirmed upon receipt of booking details and guest information.

Te Pā Tū 5.00pm Show only

Te Pā Tū presents seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) events – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across 3.5 hours of celebration and feasting. Our experiences align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites and kawakawa tea. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before manuhiri (guests) settle in for a three-course feast.

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting).
• Forest canapes.
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif.
• Three course Māori-fusion feast.

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Waiotapu was famous solely for its natural beauty – one of the most photographed geothermal fields in the world. However, in addition to its beauty, Māori narratives, history, kai (food) and people are becoming more deeply bound to the Waiotapu experience and this is expected to intensify over time. Waiotapu features Aotearoa’s most vivid and colourful ngāwhā (hot springs), including the world-famous Champagne Pool, volcanic craters, the Lady Knox Geyser, Primrose Terrace, naturally coloured hot and cold pools, sinter terrace formations and the country’s largest bubbling mud pool.

Inclusions:

• Open from 8.30am – 4.30pm, with final admission at 3pm
• Lady Knox Geyser (10.15am daily eruption)
• Brilliant geothermal colours
• Champagne Pool
• Bubbling mud pools

 

Terms and conditions:

• You must have your own transport to visit each attraction.
• Bookings for the combo are subject to availability.
• To secure your reservation, full payment must be made at the time of booking.
• Cancellations made within 7 days of the booking, 0% of the total booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the booking, 50% of booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the booking 100% of total booking will be charged.
• Te Pā Tū evening experience is booked and confirmed immediately for the date requested.

Te Pā Tū 5.00pm Show only

Te Pā Tū presents seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) events – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across 3.5 hours of celebration and feasting. Our experiences align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites and kawakawa tea. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before manuhiri (guests) settle in for a three-course feast.

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting).
• Forest canapes.
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif.
• Three course Māori-fusion feast.

Rapids Jet Taupō

Across 35 minutes, we traverse white-water rapids and straightaways on this thrilling encounter, reaching up to 80 kms even through the river’s narrowest canyon. Our experienced and passionate drivers will jet spin, bank, and master hairpin turns before surfing the powerful Ngā Awa Pūrua Rapids.

In the quieter sections of our mighty river, we share stories of Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa. Our river is a life source of whakapapa (genealogy) and kai and has been an arterial route for trade and connection to whānau (family) for hundreds of years.

Inclusions:

• Nga Awa Pūrua Rapids - the biggest commercially jet boated rapids in New Zealand.
• Learn about the wildlife and history of the area with our local drivers.

Terms and conditions:

• You must have your own transport to visit each attraction.
• Bookings for the combo are subject to availability.
• To secure your reservation, full payment must be made at the time of booking.
• Cancellations made within 7 days of the booking, 0% of the total booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the booking, 50% of booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the booking 100% of total booking will be charged.
• Te Pā Tū evening experience is booked and confirmed immediately for the date requested.

Te Pā Tū 7.30pm Show only

Te Pā Tū presents seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) events – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across 3.5 hours of celebration and feasting. Our experiences align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites and kawakawa tea. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before manuhiri (guests) settle in for a three-course feast.

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting).
• Forest canapes.
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif.
• Three course Māori-fusion feast.

Rapids Jet Taupō

Across 35 minutes, we traverse white-water rapids and straightaways on this thrilling encounter, reaching up to 80 kms even through the river’s narrowest canyon. Our experienced and passionate drivers will jet spin, bank, and master hairpin turns before surfing the powerful Ngā Awa Pūrua Rapids.

In the quieter sections of our mighty river, we share stories of Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa. Our river is a life source of whakapapa (genealogy) and kai and has been an arterial route for trade and connection to whānau (family) for hundreds of years.

Inclusions:

• Nga Awa Pūrua Rapids - the biggest commercially jet boated rapids in New Zealand.
• Learn about the wildlife and history of the area with our local drivers.

Terms and conditions:

• You must have your own transport to visit each attraction.
• Bookings for the combo are subject to availability.
• To secure your reservation, full payment must be made at the time of booking.
• Cancellations made within 7 days of the booking, 0% of the total booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the booking, 50% of booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the booking 100% of total booking will be charged.
• Te Pā Tū evening experience is booked and confirmed immediately for the date requested.

Wai Ariki Hotsprings & Spa - Restorative Journey 4.15pm arrival time

Step into Wai Ariki, a place where Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing traditions, and warm hospitality converge. Nestled by the captivating Lake Rotorua, its name, ‘Chiefly Waters,’ reflects the majesty it holds. Owned and curated by the local iwi, you’ll discover the Wai Whakaora, a path to restoration, deeply rooted in Māori values. Experience a world of uniqueness that transcends borders and touches hearts. 

Te Pā Tū  - 7.30pm show only

Te Pā Tū presents seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) events – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across four hours of celebration and feasting. Our experiences align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Kai horotai (canapés) welcome guests with seasonal favourites. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before manuhiri (guests) settle in for a four-course feast.

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting).
• Forest canapes.
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif.
• Four course Māori-fusion feast.

Te Pā Tū Terms & Conditions

• Offers are valid from 19 October 2024 to 30 April 2025 only.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours will not be refunded.
• All bookings are subject to availability. 
• Please inform us of any dietary requirements or special needs when making your booking.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Terms & Conditions 

• Offers are valid from 19 October 2024 to 30 April 2025 only.
• Wai Ariki Spa Restorative Journey timings: Arrive 4:15pm, begin 4:30pm, ends 6:30pm 
• Pick up for Te Pā Tū from Wai Ariki 7:00pm
• Minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 8 people per session.
• All bookings are subject to availability. Please notify us of any medical conditions at the time of booking.
• Must be 16 years or older to participate.
• Robe, towel, and locker are provided. Please bring your own swimwear and sandals.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours will not be refunded
  

To ensure we can best accommodate guests, please advise us at the time of booking if any guest is pregnant or has a medical or physical condition

Te Pā Tū 7.30pm Show only

Te Pā Tū presents seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) events – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across 3.5 hours of celebration and feasting. Our experiences align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites and kawakawa tea. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before manuhiri (guests) settle in for a three-course feast.

Inclusions:

• 3.5 hours of performance, entertainment, and kai hākari (feasting).
• Forest canapes.
• Complimentary chef choice aperitif.
• Three course Māori-fusion feast.

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Waiotapu was famous solely for its natural beauty – one of the most photographed geothermal fields in the world. However, in addition to its beauty, Māori narratives, history, kai (food) and people are becoming more deeply bound to the Waiotapu experience and this is expected to intensify over time. Waiotapu features Aotearoa’s most vivid and colourful ngāwhā (hot springs), including the world-famous Champagne Pool, volcanic craters, the Lady Knox Geyser, Primrose Terrace, naturally coloured hot and cold pools, sinter terrace formations and the country’s largest bubbling mud pool.

Inclusions:

• Open from 8.30am – 4.30pm, with final admission at 3pm
• Lady Knox Geyser (10.15am daily eruption)
• Brilliant geothermal colours
• Champagne Pool
• Bubbling mud pools

 

Terms and conditions:

• You must have your own transport to visit each attraction.
• Bookings for the combo are subject to availability.
• To secure your reservation, full payment must be made at the time of booking.
• Cancellations made within 7 days of the booking, 0% of the total booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the booking, 50% of booking amount is charged.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the booking 100% of total booking will be charged.
• Te Pā Tū evening experience is booked and confirmed immediately for the date requested.