Your first stop is Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae & Māori Cultural Centre for a privately guided experience and an introduction to the Pre-European Māori lifestyle, including inspiring kōrero. Learn how to harvest harekeke and weave a kai kono within a traditional Wharenui and enjoy a hāngi lunch. Continue onwards to Hokianga to set up camp for the night before an evening visit to Waipoua Forest for a twilight tour where your guide will share local legends before respectfully greeting the oldest known kauri tree in the world with spine-tingling chants and songs. The next morning you will take a boat across to the nearby sand dunes for a unique sand-boarding experience! In the afternoon connect with nature at Wairere Boulders Park; explore the trails and swimming holes in this tranquil setting. Finally, visit Ngawha Springs Hot Pools for a relaxing soak before your journey back to the city.
Social Protocols
- Respect the environment - You will be out in nature for this experience so please help protect our environment by taking all your rubbish with you.
- Be a great listener - Have fun and stay safe by following instructions carefully.
- Stay safe in the outdoors - Your guides know the environment better than anyone and are there to keep you safe; listen to ALL their instructions, ALL the time.
- Make new friends - This is a group experience so go along prepared to start conversations and make some new friends :-)
Cultural Protocols
- Be a respectful visitor - You will be a guest during this experience, so please be respectful. Two important Māori customs are to take your shoes off indoors and avoid sitting on tables or pillows.
- Don't be shy - Kiwis are very friendly, open people so this experience is a great opportunity to not be shy, smile lots and make some new friends.
- Hello and goodbye in Māori - If you want to start practising some basic Māori phrases, you could try using ‘Kia ora’ (hello) and ‘Ka kite’ (goodbye).
- Permission for photos - If you are taking photos that include other people, always ask them first if they are happy for their photograph to be taken.
