New season deals you'll love! View deals

Love culture
Love Taupō
The Haka Shop, Taupō
  1. Home
  2. See & do
  3. Art & Māori culture
  4. Māori culture

Māori culture experiences in Taupō

Aroha ki tenei wahi. Arohaina Taupō. Love this place. Love Taupō. Experience Taupō’s Māori culture and connect with local people and local stories.

Whether it’s foraging for flora and fauna in the wild with Kai Waho, relaxing with a traditional Māori massage, taking part in an interactive experience of traditional Māori songs and kapa haka (performance) with the Haka Shop, or discovering the giant Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori rock carving that tells the story of the great Māori high priest Ngātoroirangi, you will leave Taupō having connected with local people and local stories.

Discover more about the heritage of local iwi Ngāti Tuwharetoa at the Taupō Museum, as well as viewing a mighty 15m waka crafted from a single totara log.

You can also visit some of New Zealand’s most significant Māori pa sites (fortified villages) where you can learn about the history of the famous Ka Mate Haka at Opotaka Historic Reserve or discover the site where the last major engagement of the New Zealand Wars was fought in 1869 at Te Porere Redoubt.

Embark on your own special journey into the culture, local history and kai (food) of this region.

Māori culture activities & tours in Taupō

Filter by
Sort by
Map
Displaying 1 - 10 of 15
  • Geothermal walks

    Tokaanu Thermal Walk

    See steaming hot mineral pools and spluttering mud pools on this short, easy walk.

  • Māori culture

    Opotaka Historic Reserve - Lake Rotoaira

    Opotaka is a historical Maori pa site (fortified village) where you can learn about the history of the famous Ka Mate Haka, see the remains of the Maori settlement, and enjoy spectacular views across Lake Rotoaira to Mt Tongariro.

  • Boat cruises

    Taupo Sailing Adventures - Sail Fearless - Māori Rock Carvings Sailing Tour

    Come on board and be fearless. Sail aboard Lake Taupō's pirate-flagged sailing boat to the Maori Rock carvings. Sustainable and family friendly cruise.

    $49 Book now
  • Horse treks

    Enchanted Forest and Te Waimarino River

    Ride through the Enchanted forest to the beautiful Waimarino River.

    $90
  • Sailing

    Kindred Spirit - Maori Carvings Sailing Tour

    Escape the hectic of life and experience the beauty of the lake and the Māori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupō's largest charter yacht Kindred Spirit with superior comfort.

    $59 - $69 Book now
  • Maori Cultural Attractions

    Backyard Tours

    Nau mai Hāere mai - Greetings and Welcome. Backyard Tours transport services customers to and from having fun in the snow at Ruapehu Whakapapa Ski fields and hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Ask us if booking groups or other need of transport.

    $30 - $50 Book now
  • Scenic flights

    INFLITE Experiences Taupo - Overview

    INFLITE Experiences Taupo offers unforgettable helicopter tours, showing the best of Taupo's powerful volcanoes, thermal reserves, tranquil wilderness areas, colourful local lakes, sparkling rivers and coastlines.

    $99 - $790
  • Horse treks

    The Enchanted Forest Ride

    Ride through the enchanted forest and maybe discover Santa's hideout.

    $70 - $70.01
  • Boat cruises

    Scenic boat tour to the Māori Rock Carvings with Chris Jolly Outdoors

    Chris Jolly Outdoors has been looking after you for 40 years and that continues during COVID-19. Our ability to socially distance you on your 90 minute tour makes us part of your 'top things to do in Taupō'. Spacious and sparkly clean.

    $45 Book now
of 2 Next

Share your #LoveTaupō stories with us

  1. Home
  2. See & do
  3. Art & Māori culture
  4. Māori culture