"Rip-off at the New Maori Village in Ferrymead" Top 5 Page for this destination Christchurch Tourist Trap Tip by Kakapo2

At the end of April 2007 the Tamaki Maori Village has been opened in Ferrymead, next to the Ferrymead Heritage Park. As it has taken four years and 5 million dollar (11 instead of 6) more than expected the Tamaki brothers who also run the Maori village in Rotorua obviously think NZ tourists should pay for the bad planning and extra expenses.

They know that they rip tourists off, and if they have a conscience (as followers of their brother Brian's Destiny Church they should) it is already a bad consience. Otherwise I could not explain the announcement in The Press that they plan to make Cantabrians (the locals; inhabitants of Canterbury) pay only half of the entry fee to the fortified village (pa) if they want to experience the Maori show.

The show is different to the show in Rotorua. I read that the focus is not on song and dance but on a theatre-like performance in which they re-enact Maori history from 1820 and the arrival of European settlers. The title is "Lost in Our Own Land". I cite: "Many felt trapped between the promise of the new ways and the significance of their ancient values. " What the new values are is quickly learnt: rip off tourists... ;-)

The entry fee is NZ$95.

If you want to include a hangi (Maori meal cooked in the earth-oven) you must expect $120. Bon appetit!

If you still want to visit:

Phone (03) 366 7333

Fun Alternatives: Visit a Maori song and dance show. Also there you learn about Maori history and traditions, and if you want to know more read a book. Most travel guides already provide a lot of information. If not, go to a library. The Christchurch library in Worcester St is fantastic.

In the meantime there are also Maori incentives in NZ which introduce you to real Maori life and are less of a rip-off.