Mitai Maori Village

This experience is the highlight of our time in Aotearoa! We had a bus pickup which was very prompt and took us to and from the evening. The evening was very well managed. We were seated quickly and got to chat with others at the table. Our guide then gave an introductory speech and told us what to expect for the night. We got to go down and see the men in their waka singing a war song, which was a really amazing thing to see. We then got to see the food being cooked in the hangi before getting to taste the amazing buffet. I’ve never seen so much incredible food! There was a huge array of things to try and everything was delicious. After dinner, we went to the stage area to watch performances from Māori culture. This was absolutely the best part of the night. The performers had such passion in what they were doing. Within seconds of the first song starting I got so emotional- it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to see so many young people thriving within their culture. The pride for Māori traditions was clear in everything they did and I was blown away by the skills they all demonstrated. The haka was a real highlight and left me with chills! We ended the night with a tour around the village where we got to see the spring we’d been drinking from, a replica of an old Māori village and some glow worms! Thank you all for what you are doing, this was an experience I’ll never forget. Ngā Mihi!

Immersive and cheerful Maori cultural experience with friendly and helpful Maori staff and service who behave like a family. Despite being late and missing the welcome ceremony, we were able to enjoy the rest of activities. There is a narrator throughout the whole experience who help guests understand the significance of each episode. They even provide a one pager translating key Maori concepts into English. The Hangi dinner was delicious with a wide variety of meat and vegetables. The after-dinner performance was impressive, not only for the Haka but also for the stories referencing Maori cosmology and romance. The final part of the experience was the spiritual night walk into the forest where we were able to observe the unique glow worms, that was astonishing. We would definitely book this experience again. 100% recommended!

This was by far one of my most favourite experiences while in New Zealand. This family business is enriched with culture, knowledge and sharing so much with so many people, both through food, speaking, dancing, singing and the amazing environment. I’m so grateful for your time and dedication to sharing. The cultural experience was fabulous and filled with passion. A beautiful bonus is that the leftovers of the amazing food goes to charities to feed homeless. It was raining during our visit, and umbrellas were provided. We brought our own ponchos and it didn’t take away from the experience at all. Absolutely phenomenal. Kia Ora!

An incredible once in a lifetime experience. From start to finish, Mitai Maori Village immerses you in Maori culture, from the incredible war canoe display, the ceremonial dances and haka, the (OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS) Hangi buffet, and the evening walk through the Maori village to see the glowworns, every second is more magical than the last. If you’re looking for an authentic New Zealand experience that not only feels educational but also powerful, intimate and awe-inspiring, this is the experience for you.

A brilliant experience. The entrance of the warriors on the boat, and subsequent performances and demonstrations were fantastic. In particular, the love song of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai was sung so beautifully. Then the food - omg so delicious! Thank you for sharing your culture, knowledge and experiences with us. My only improvement point would be walking through the village in the dark meant we couldn’t really see anything and people were sort of just stumbling in the dark.

We stopped here on a tour of New Zealand and this is truly a must see if you’re traveling through New Zealand. It was an incredible experience seeing Māori culture and traditions live. From experiencing traditional foods, song, dance, ceremonies, etc. The host even has a Q&A session where you can ask her questions about the culture.

What an incredible way to learn about the Maori culture. Our host was very entertaining. The experience learning about the dances, songs, weapons and villages was very good, and the perfect amount of time. The food was also incredible. The only thing I wish was that the walk through the village wasn't in the dark. Highly suggest this experience.

A must! We had the best experience. Had the pleasure of being the Chief of "our" village during the welcoming. The Hangi was amazing and plentiful. The cultural dances were great! Thanks for a great experience.

Great traditional Māori cultural experience. Highly recommended having a reservation and booking ahead of time, especially during the busy holiday season. There's delicious traditional food, touring, stories, songs, and customary dancing. I've seen and experienced Māori events in Rotorua and throughout New Zealand before, this one was really down-to-earth and fun. Highly recommended!

One of the best banquet shows I've ever attended. It is totally immersive and enlightening. A little bit of walking to the various show locations. They provide umbrellas as the show goes on rain or shine. Our entertainment was before dinner with a final tour after dinner to see glow worms. The village is set on a hillside with brick paths with minimal light to preserve the mysterious ambiance. Gentle Conch shell sounds and babbling brooks greet visitors along the path.

I wanted to give a higher rating, but honestly the value of this place is not worth it since it's only a 3-hour experience that felt too rushed and crammed. If it were half a day, starting before sunset, and more interactive (like kids can play with poi balls), then it would be way better. I've been lucky to see many Maori performances and do dinners like this and the price you pay here is too high. They put so many people in one place that it really takes away from any personal experience and it feels like a tourism factory just pushing people through for the cash. They show you Hangi (underground BBQ pit), but there are like 200 people trying to look at the same thing so if you're not at the front you just stare at people's backs. When they show you the short boat performance, there aren't too many places to get a good viewing, and you've walked down the crowded forest pathways for no reason. The main performance was good, but I've seen many of Maori performances and this wasn't that that great. Thankfully, the food was very delicious. Maybe if they only hosted half the amount of people they do, it'd be a way better time. If you're ever in Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center (which features Aotearoa) is a 10x better experience.

We went here one night for the Maori performance and a dinner. I was quite impressed with this place and all they had to offer; it was much more than that. First, they picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the village. We sat down and they told us what to expect, then they took us into the forest. Once there they showed us a beautiful spring. Then they walked us down a stream where some Maori came by in a boat, which was pretty cool. Then they took us to see a couple Maori buildings (the village), then into a theater. Once in the theater, they put on a show that was entertaining and educational. Then it was time to eat. They had set up a buffet with foods from New Zealand. Although most items were familiar to me, there were a few things that were new or different. The food was pretty good. After that, they separated some of us from the rest of the group and we got a nighttime tour of the wildlife park next door. On the way there, we got to see some glow worms; I know people not in our group got to see this, but probably nothing else. In the wildlife park, we saw a kiwi bird, tuataras, trout, and redwood trees. It was much more than I expected. Coming here was a good experience as I enjoyed seeing how the Maori lived and it was good to learn about their culture. For all we got to see and do while here, I'd recommend visiting this place.

The Hangi feast is the Maori people welcoming you to learn a bit about their culture and traditions. It is a bit similar to a Hawaiian Luau in that there is a feast and a show. The evening starts in the dining tent and some interesting facts are shared. Then it's off to see the unveiling of the hangi meal (smoked for 4-hours under ground), a bit of info about a ceremonial canoe then off to the sacred creek where the warriors paddle up and down chanting. Next it's off to the performance space-NOTE-seating is open on a first come first serve basis. After the show it's time to eat-buffet style -which goes really quickly. After dinner dessert. The cultural show was interesting with both male and female performers demonstrating cultural dances, games and songs. Try to get a seat in the center for best photos. The food was fine, nothing fantastic and consisted of leg of lamb, smoked chicken, potatoes, rice, stuffing, salad and garlic bread with several options for dessert. Drinks are available at the bar for an extra charge. Bottom line: fun, interesting and worth doing if only to learn a bit about this interesting culture

A trip to New Zealand wouldn't be complete without a stop in Rotorua, located about a 3 hour drive south east of Auckland on the North Island. If you're looking for a quiet, pastoral village... Well, Rotorua might not be the right place for you. This town is buzzing with tour buses, and it was one of the very first places to jump on the tourism bandwagon. Kiwis, known for their sense of irony, have even dubbed it as "Roto Vegas," given its many motel and neon signs. But in reality, it's nothing like it. You see, Rotorua is the geothermal center of the country. It's also a hot spot for adrenaline junkies, home to New Zealand's commercially operating "Zorbing" company. Never heard of Zorbing? Basically, you roll down a hill inside an inflatable ball. Think of it as a human laundry machine. And yes, people pay money to do this! But more importantly, Rotorua is where you can experience authentic Maori culture, learning about Ta Moko (traditional tattooing), the haka (a ceremonial dance) and hangi (meals cooked in an underground oven). Mitai Maori Village is my top pick to experience a spectacular evening Maori performance. Even cooler? The tour also included a guided bush walk where we saw glow worms in their natural element and saw a Kiwi bird at a nearby sanctuary. We did a ton of things in Rotorua but this experience was our favorite. Mitai Maori Village has re-created what life was like for the first inhabitants of New Zealand, or Aotearoa, meaning 'Land of the Long White Cloud.' I felt welcomed like a member of their whānau (or family). There are many other Maori cultural centers in Rotorua, but we did our homework and were happy to see that Mitai Maori Village ranked at the top. The night we attended there were visitors from 15 countries, showing the true draw from around the world. Advanced reservations are essential, especially if you only have a short time in New Zealand. The evening began with a warm and personalized meet and greet from one of the Maori women dressed in traditional attire and decorated with moko kauae (or tattoo) worn on the chin. The woman's moko can also occasionally appear on the forehead, upper lip, nostrils and throat. "Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa," our Maori host called out as we all got seated. This is the traditional way of saying hello. When I lived in New Zealand back in 2003, I could recite a traditional Maori greeting by memory. But let's just say, I have a hard time remembering what I did yesterday so a Maori language tutorial was very helpful. We were given the overview of the night -- first, we'd see a traditional waka (canoe ceremony), then ceremonial dances followed by an all-you-can-eat meal. Sounds good to me. But first, we needed to select a chief to represent our group. I felt tempted to volunteer my partner for the job. But I knew my marriage would likely be on the line! We eventually chose our chief who performed the best haka. Yeah, that definitely would have led to a divorce. The most sacred part of the welcome is during the first 5 minutes, where you acknowledge the creator, then those who passed on. They brought our chief up on stage and greeted him with the hongi, which involves touching your nose and forehead to another person's. Think of it as a traditional handshake. Remember, if you volunteer to be the chief, you'll be up on stage in front of everyone and asked to give a speech. I was impressed by our chief who seemed (mostly) at ease and gave a thoughtful welcome. You won't walk away hungry from this feast. It's buffet style and you're welcome to go up as many times as you'd like. Nobody is judging... Okay, maybe I was a little after I saw someone at our table go up for their 5th time. There was chicken, lamb, potatoes, kumara (sweet potatoes), veggies rice and more. And let's not forget about the dessert spread. Now I feel like I'm in Vegas! Well, what could be better after a meal? How about a walk through the woods? I signed up for the special combo experience. It is slightly more expensive, but we both felt is a great way to wrap up the night. Culture AND animals? You got our sweet spot. Our guide led us through the woods to the Wai-o-whiro stream to see glow worms in their natural surroundings. We did the Blackwater Canyon tour in Waitomo, but let's just say this was a much more comfortable experience (no wet suits required!). Then, we made our way over to Rainbow Springs where we went inside the enclosure to see Kiwi birds hunting for bugs. It takes some effort to see these nocturnal flightless birds. So it's no wonder that most New Zealanders haven't ever actually seen one in the wild. Rainbow Springs is also home to the Kiwi Hatchery, which is working to save the Kiwi bird from going extinct. I highly recommend the spot for an entertaining night out for the family.

Being born in the UK and moving to New Zealand in 2006, I've grown up learning of various things to do with Maori culture. My first memory of my learning journey started at Mitai. Now being 21, I took my visiting British family to Mitai and they loved it. The staff and tour guides were so friendly and helpful, especially when we had two elderly ladies who struggled walking far. The presentation and build up to our meal was amazing and the information we left with changed our knowledge on the culture and the past. DEFINITELY A MUST FOR FIRST TIME VISITS TO NZ.

Ok it's tourist time and a staple has to be a Maori evening. We've been to luaus before (can you say Polynesian cultural center) and this one is an intimate take on the whole thing. They will pick you up from your hotel and it's a short drive to their little village. We didn't know much about the Maori so it was super informational. There is a nice show with a real chief and lots of singing and dancing. Of course the world famous battle chant was the best part but we love learning about other aspects of the culture The food (to our surprise) was quite good. We liked their take of chicken and lamb buried with rock and charcoal in a pit. Most and flavorful. Dining is communal which is a great way to meet people from just about everywhere. Our table had Malaysians, French and even Ohioans The real treat was to walk around after dinner and see the glow worms in an amazingly clear pool. Really cool to see a bubbling stream and then the glow. So hang onto your hat and enjoy the show!

This event is quite similar to a Hawaiian Luau in that you learn about NZ Maori custom and history. Worth the time.

Outstanding evening and cultural experience. The traditional lovo dinner was plentiful and the show was quite educational. The interaction with the guests was intimate.

The friends I was visiting in New Zealand were great enough to buy a Grab one for this Maori experience. What a great introduction into the Maori Culture! We had heard, at another location that you could add a kiwi bird experience for after that Hangi was complete in Rainbow springs. We were easily able to add this! The evening started out in a tent while waiting for everyone to arrive. Our MC for the evening found us to be a tribe of 10 countries - impressively he was able to say welcome in everyone's language. He was a fantastic MC! We then got to see the Hangi dinner revealed after cooking in the ground for quite some time. We then wondered over to see the Maori warriors come in via canoe, following that we had a great experience watching the warriors perform. They explained their instruments as well as performed the Hakka dance. We sat in simple plastic chairs (not the best, but survivable) with heaters all around the stage/seating area to keep everyone warm. We then continued on to eat our hangi dinner. It was - ok. BUT, to have the experience made the subpar food worth it! Thank you for a great experience!

Excellent way to spend an evening and learn a bit about the Maori culture. The food is delicious and everything at the event is well organized. You get to see a show with traditional song and dances as well as do a bush walk to the natural springs and see some glow worms. I am glad I got to do this tour and learn a bit about New Zealand history.

Perhaps our most enjoyed experience on the North Island. Great presentation, good food with excellent flavoring, a little on the crowded side but well manage. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. Awesome learning experience coupled with good food!

We enjoyed a good evening at this event. but felt that it was expensive. The guy who showed us round and entertained us on the bus was great fun and the Maori history and singing inspiring. The food was OK, but I would have liked more time to sit and enjoy it, it was very rushed. The night tour was informative and humorous. I would recommend this tour, it is a must see for visitors to New Zealand to appreciate Maori history and culture.