"Maori Culture at the Tamaki Village" Top 5 Page for this destination Tamaki Village Tip by Kakapo2

As Rotorua has a Maori population of 38% (whereas it is 14 to 15% country-wide) you can well imagine that you can learn a lot about Maori culture in this, let me say: New Zealand's Maori capital. Of course, it is not the real life which is presented to you in the culture shows, and you do not hear anything about the problems of NZ's first inhabitants with criminality, gangs, drugs, health and child abuse. But at least you get an idea on which values Maori culture is based, their love for and bond with nature, their cooking in the earth-ovens, their songs and dances. And no show without the welcome ceremony, the powhiri, and the haka, the war dance which is performed by NZ sports teams around the world.

There are several providers you can chose from. Once I was at a show at Whakarewarewa, last time at the Tamaki Village.

Well, I could not laugh about the cheap jokes on the bus to the village but the village was great. I was there when it was dark at 7pm, and this gave the experience a nice intimate feeling, with open fires, and spare light.

First you are in the open-air area where the Maori sit in front of their huts in their traditional gear, show their art of flax weaving, or play games with balls and sticks. Then follows the welcome ceremony for which the visitors always have to elect a chief who represents them and gets into interaction with the Maori chief and warriors.

Songs and dance are presented indoors. I like this kind of music very much as it is so cheerful and makes me feel on a dream holiday on a white beach with leaning palm-trees...

Finally there is buffet food, the traditional hangi, which is cooked in earth-oven. I cannot say I am a fan of the smoke-flavour, and the meat seems to get a little dry by this way of preparation.

The closing ceremony is also with songs, and the bus drive back to the city was spectacular, as the driver circled around a roundabout approximately ten times... ;-)

There is one ridiculous thing on the website: the prices are approximate and in US-dollars!!! LOL

Address: Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru St, Rotorua
Directions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off after the show (3.5hrs).

Price (as Feb. 2007) NZ$92 until 30 Sep 2007, from 1 Oct 2007 NZ$95. Children NZ$52/55. Prices on website only in US$ LOL

Show at 7.30pm, additional show at 5.30pm.
othercontact: bookings@maoriculture.co.nz
Phone: (07) 349 2999
Website: http://www.maoriculture.co.nz