TE PUIA

Te Puia’s Te Rā Guided Experience takes you on a 90-minute tour through one of New Zealand’s most remarkable geothermal landscapes. You’ll start by visiting the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, home to the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, which can erupt up to 30 meters high. The valley is dotted with boiling mud pools, and your guide will explain the geothermal wonders of the area. Next, step into the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you’ll see master carvers and weavers at work. Learn about the skills passed down through generations as you witness intricate wood, bone, and greenstone carvings in progress. You’ll also get an up-close look at flax weaving and the traditional techniques used to create everyday Māori items. During the tour, you’ll visit a kiwi conservation center, where the rare and nocturnal national bird of New Zealand is protected. Cameras are not allowed, so this moment will stay in your memory, rather than on your phone. Your experience concludes with a visit to a marae, a traditional Māori meeting house, and a guided exploration of the village.

Dive deep into Māori culture with Te Puia’s Te Rā Guided Experience and Haka Combo. The adventure begins with a 90-minute tour of Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, where you’ll marvel at Pohutu Geyser’s eruptions and the bubbling mud pools scattered across the landscape. Your guide will also lead you through the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you’ll watch talented artisans crafting wood, bone, and greenstone masterpieces, as well as flax weaving demonstrations. Your journey continues with a special 30-minute haka performance. Feel the intensity of the pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), where tribal warriors challenge guests in an ancient ritual, before watching the powerful and famous haka dance. Along with the haka, you’ll enjoy Māori chants, songs (waiata), and poi performances—an unforgettable display of cultural pride and unity. Wrap up the tour with a visit to the Kiwi Conservation Center, where you can quietly observe these iconic, endangered birds. This experience combines geothermal wonder, cultural immersion, and exhilarating performances in one action-packed day.

This Te Puia experience combines geothermal wonders with rich Māori culture and an indulgent buffet meal. Begin your guided tour of Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, where you’ll be awed by the power of Pohutu Geyser—the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Your guide will take you through bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, and the Kiwi Conservation Center, where you’ll get a rare chance to see this nocturnal bird. You’ll also stop at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where expert carvers and weavers demonstrate their craft, preserving Māori traditions for future generations. Here, you’ll have a chance to learn about the meanings behind various Māori designs and carvings. Following your tour, head to the dining hall for a buffet meal cooked using the traditional hāngī method. You’ll feast on slow-cooked chicken, seafood, and vegetables, along with a variety of other dishes, all infused with the earthy flavors of the hāngī pit. The fusion of Māori and international flavors is a culinary highlight that will round out your cultural experience perfectly. Enjoy the blend of nature, culture, and cuisine, all within one unforgettable day.

Enjoy a day that mixes the magic of your favorite movie series, the Lord of the Rings, and Maori culture. This guided tour takes you to some of the most iconic structures in The Shire, including the Hobbit Holes, Green Dragon Inn, and the Mill. Your journey begins at Rotorua. Your driver will take you through the farmlands of the King County and Waikato regions while simultaneously receiving a full-fledged, informative commentary on the countryside. Come across Matamata, where the famous 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm hosts the set of the Shire. Offboard at the private farm and take a guided tour across the Shire. The private farm was carefully crafted into the set of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. After completing your exploration of every nook and cranny of this amazing set, you are invited to an afternoon feast at the Green Dragon Inn. On a full stomach, you can either head back to Rotorua or, according to your choice of tour, head out to Te Puia. After gallivanting through the Shire, experience a bit of the local Maori culture in Te Puia. Here, you can visit the wood carving and weaving schools where ancient arts have been passed down from one generation to the next. Te Puia is not just a home of the Maori people but also a hotspot for geothermal activity. The area boasts some amazing forceful geysers and several bubbling mud pools.

The theatre of white smoke floating by, the calls of a Kiwi bird in the silence of the night, and the erupting waters of the geyser against the dark sky are all a part of the newly discovered experience in Rotorua. Set off on this guided tour of Te Puia to uncover a unique experience amidst nature’s wonders, and get an insight into the mesmerizing culture of the Maoris. A Valley Rich in Maori Culture Get ready to be amazed as you follow your guide into the valley through a path rarely taken, but be careful where you step! Scattered along the way will be bubbling little pools of mud that have recently emerged here, making them a fresh new attraction at Te Puia. Walking past the valley walls, spot carvings on the wall that will spark your interest. Learn about the carvings and the fascinating facets of Maori culture with your guide by your side. Witness Bubbling Pools & Erupting Geysers Stop for a break at the cooking pool, Ngāraratuatara, to indulge in a dessert delight under the glistening moonlight to elevate your experience. After your little treat, head to the highlight of the evening- the biggest natural geyser in the Southern hemisphere. Clouds of white smoke giving the area a mystical appearance will leave you in awe. But stand still and wait for the main show as the geysers erupt and shoot up in the sky, showering a misty spray on everyone standing by. Enjoy your night as you absorb the beauty of this unique fairytale-like panorama.

Start your adventure with round-trip transfers from Auckland to Rotorua, crossing through the lush Waikato farming region. Upon arrival, embark on a guided driving tour to see Rotorua’s famous landmarks, including Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, and the iconic Blue Baths. Next, immerse yourself in the geothermal and cultural marvels of Te Puia. Witness the spectacular Pohutu Geyser as it erupts, and walk among boiling mud pools and steaming craters. The experience also includes a visit to the National Māori Arts School, where you’ll have a chance to observe master carvers and weavers keeping ancient traditions alive. You’ll have some free time to explore Rotorua at your own pace, perhaps strolling through its parks or enjoying a snack. The small-group nature of this tour ensures personalized attention and a relaxed pace, with water and snacks available throughout the day.

Your journey begins with a convenient return transfer from Auckland to Hobbiton, where you’ll board a Hobbiton bus for a fully guided 2.5-hour tour. Wander around the 12-acre movie set, home to 44 hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn and stunning gardens. Along the way, your guide will share behind-the-scenes stories and secrets from the film, bringing the magic of Middle-earth to life. Next, you’ll travel to Rotorua to visit Te Puia, where you’ll explore the geothermal park and see the spectacular Pohutu Geyser. This site also offers an in-depth look at Māori culture through traditional architecture, performances and workshops at the National School of Māori Arts. Keep an eye out for the elusive kiwi bird at the lookout. The day continues with a guided driving tour of Rotorua's main sites including Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens and the Blue Baths. This tour offers a balanced mix of cultural immersion and natural beauty, with water and snacks provided to keep you refreshed throughout the day.