Te Pa Tu - The Gathering Place

This was an experience of a lifetime. We started being greeted by the chief in a traditional Māori custom. We then ventured off to learn more about their culture, ancestry and ways of living. It was very hands on allowing guests to participate in their martial arts and other activities. The best part of this was after when the family who runs Te Pa Tu entertained us singing and dancing the Haka and other traditional songs. Their passion for their culture is immediately shown and is beautiful to witness. Afterwards, we were treated to a feast - which was no joke. They say they’ll feed you a lot which is an understatement. This was a FEAST with many appetizers, three meats, a variety of sides and an array of dessert. As someone who is a foodie, even I couldn’t keep up. I did have dietary restrictions of no seafood or pork which were happily accommodated by the staff an really only covered a small portion of what was offered. We booked the tour for 7:30pm and got back at 11pm. It was a really late night for us. This is a not-to-miss attraction. It was the best thing I’ve done in New Zealand hands down and one of the top travel moments I’ve ever had. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

No matter what I write, I won’t be able to truly express how much I enjoyed being here. This place is a cultural institute, school, and mini village dedicated to introducing visitors to the Māori people — the indigenous people of New Zealand. It’s a large venue that requires prior booking. The staff warmly welcome you and explain the Māori culture, followed by a traditional performance featuring expressive movements and chanting that carry deep meaning. Then, the team takes you on a tour near the hot volcanic rocks, ending with a luxurious international buffet dinner that includes all types of meats, chicken, seafood, desserts, and ice cream. This center is considered one of the top tourist attractions when visiting Rotorua.

This establishment offers a wonderful immersion into Maori culture, and the extended family here is exceptionally welcoming and kind. It is an excellent venue to experience the Maori way of life, including their customs, entertainment, and cuisine. The dinner, in particular, is outstanding.

This was an amazing experience! A great introduction to Maori culture and history. They make it a fun process and include guests in the experience. From the time they picked us up on the bus to the drop off, it was high energy and a great time! Thank you Sam for starting it off and to Dennis for finishing it on a high point!!! Great performers! Amazing voices! All the performers did a great job but the family with Emerson, Elisa, their brother and uncle were so strong together.... beautiful!!! The food was wonderful!!! Plenty to eat, great variety and beautifully presented! My whole family loved it! Would do this again for sure! Well worth the money!!!!

We were picked up from our hotel by a shuttle and then continued by bus to the Maori village. We were welcomed with a ceremony. There were various stations where we spent 10-15 minutes learning about Maori culture. There were also canapés, which were very tasty. After finishing the stations, we were led to a foyer with a small stage. The things we learned at the stations were presented by our hosts in the "right way". The Haka was incredibly captivating. It's amazing how strong and overwhelming individual voices can be. Afterwards, we were invited to take our seats in a large hall and were served dinner. We were entertained very nicely at the end, with our hosts singing songs from different countries. A truly unforgettable experience. It was one of the best cultural experiences we've ever had. A must-do when visiting Rotorua. A truly enriching experience for broadening your horizons about other cultures.

Great experience! A open culture that is willing to teach patiently and kindly. We loved all of it. The performances were powerful and you could feel the emotion of their words. Food was amazing! Lots of it too! THE ONLY THING NEGATIVE id say is do not buy the wine package!! We paid $65 per person for the wine pass, but staff have to many people to serve so you end up paying that for 1 glass of wine that is not worth that much. Because there is no indication we bought the wine package, we got a bill for our drinks at the end that was $90. I explained we purchased the package and so they didn’t charge again but $90 for all of us was a lot cheaper then the package we bought.

I have had the absolute joy of experiencing Te Pā Tū twice. The first time, I thought it to be so good, that I planned my family vacation around coming back, so that they too, could bare witness to Te Pā Tū's incredible performances, games and kai (food). The passion of the staff and artists is infectious and I found myself grinning ear to ear both times. Te Pā Tū feels like a big family that welcome you with open arms. I very much enjoyed participating in traditional Māori games and it was wonderful to see everyone get involved. Big Baz, you are a talented musician, people should pay just to simply hear you sing. Tiaana, as always, thank you for being a wonderful host. I count down the days until I am back on the doorsteps of Te Pā Tū. Kia ora!

I’ve visited here twice - once in 2019 and again this month. I was disappointed the first time - most of those leading the tour didn’t seem like they wanted to be there, and it felt a bit half hearted. I also felt a little like I was tolerated, not welcomed, and sensed an arrogance from some people we encountered. This time was totally different. There was an amazing sense of warmth in the family’s welcome, and I sensed an incredible pride in their effort to show the world their culture. Their performance was the best I have seen anywhere (in any culture) - boy this family can sing! They are all incredibly friendly , engaging and intelligent. The food was stunning - a huge improvement over my last visit. I learned from our table host, Waitangi, that her father, the chief, took over after Covid. He has created something special here now, and is doing an amazing job as not only chief and host, but as a father - his children were incredibly gracious, welcoming and brilliant hosts as well as outstanding performers. Fantastic and very emotional experience. A must do when visiting Rotorua.