Mitai Maori Cultural Experience
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
August 2026
2. Select participants
Highlighted reviews
A very enjoyable experience, informative and engaging. Food was good - would have been better if our table had not been the last to go to the buffet! Q&A was okay, but the audience could not hear the questions posed, and the answers were somewhat convoluted.
What you can expect
The Mitai Māori Village family are extremely proud of their cultural heritage and honoured to share their stories, teachings and traditions with you. Famed for being one of the most authentic Māori experiences in New Zealand, the Mitai Māori Cultural Experience transports you back to a time of sacred ritual, honour, trial and triumph and includes the world renowned Fairy Spring, the waka (Māori war canoe) paddle-by, the haka and other traditional dance, a traditional hangi feast, a magical glow worm tour and an evening bush walk that encompasses a talk about Māori bush medicines.
From the moment your experience begins, you will feel like you’ve stepped into another time. The gorgeous yet mysterious natural bushland, that surrounds you throughout the experience, sets the scene for a once in a lifetime adventure. You hear a low chanting, which grows progressively louder as it approaches. Then you see it – an awe-inspiring waka (war canoe), being moved along the Wai-o-whiro stream by the might of the warriors within it. You will be amazed at the level of emotion such a simple sight will cause – it’s truly amazing!
The stunning Fairy Spring will floor you with its crystal clear beauty and the beautiful glow worms in their natural habitat will bring a smile to your face. The mouthwatering hangi meal will leave you satisfied and happy. The amazing cultural performance will teach you about the ancient arts of carving and ta moka (tattoo art), while the weaponry and combat displays will make you understand why the Māori are considered such fearsome warriors. The graceful poi dance is beautiful, while the thrilling and spine-tingling haka will leave you in total awe.
If you require transport, have a look at our TRANSPORT option
Location
What you need to know
- The unveiling of the Hangi (your evening meal which is cooked in a traditional earth oven)
- Waka welcoming ceremony
- Cultural performance
- Hangi meal
- Guided bushwalk & glow worm tour
- 3 hours
- 6:00pm
- Self drive to 196 Fairy Springs road
- Operates daily all year
- Can the Evening Experience at Mitai Maori Village cater to dietary requirements? Yes the Mitai Maoria Village Cultural Experience can cater for dietary requirements. They specialise in serving “hangi”, but the menu does cater for some dietary needs such as gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.
- Is the bush walk for the Mitai Maori Village experience the same as the redwood tree walk? No, redwoods tree walk is a separate tour in Rotorua. The Mitai Maori Cultural Experience includes a short bush walk to see the flora and fauna.
- Is it possible to only do the glow worm part of the Evening Experience at Mitai Maori Village?The glow worm tour is included in the Maori Cultural Experience at Mitai and can't be done separately
- Child rates apply (5-15yrs)
- Children under 4 years are free of charge
- Dinner that is cooked in the hangi includes succulent NZ lamb & chicken, potatoes, kumara (sweet potato) served with salads, beverages & finished with a delicious dessert
- Bookings essential
- Wear comfortable clothing & footwear
- Operated by Mitai Maori Village
- If you require transport, have a look at our TRANSPORT option
Recent reviews
A very enjoyable experience, informative and engaging. Food was good - would have been better if our table had not been the last to go to the buffet! Q&A was okay, but the audience could not hear the questions posed, and the answers were somewhat convoluted.
My family of 6 LOVED our experience at Mitai! Our host was fabulous! The forest and fairy spring were mesmerizing! The dancing, singing, and food were all top notch!!! Simply amazing. Even my teenagers who went into the night with a bad attitude thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Highly highly recommend!
