Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
MAORI CONCERTS & HANGI
Maori culture is a big-ticket item in Rotorua and, although it is commercialised, it's a great opportunity to learn
about the indigenous culture of NZ. The two big activities are concerts and hangi feasts, often packaged together
in an evening's entertainment featuring the famous hongi (Maori greeting; the pressing of foreheads and noses,
and sharing of life breath) and haka and poi dances.
An established favourite, Tamaki Maori Village MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 07-349 2999;
www.maoriculture.co.nz ; booking office 1220 Hinemaru St; adult/child/family $110/20-60/250; tours depart
5pm, 6.15pm & 7.30pm Nov-Apr, 6.15pm May-Oct) does an excellent twilight tour to a marae (meeting house)
and Maori village 15km south of Rotorua. Buses collect from the Hinemaru St booking office and local accom-
modation. The experience is very hands-on, taking you on an interactive journey through Maori history, arts, tra-
ditions and customs from pre-European times to the present day. The concert is followed by an impressive hangi .
The family-run Mitai Maori Village MAP ( 07-343 9132; www.mitai.co.nz ; 196 Fairy Springs Rd; adult/
child/family $111/21.50-55/290; 6.30pm) offers a popular three-hour evening event with a concert, hangi and
glowworm bushwalk. The experience can be combined with a tour (adult/child $150/75) of Hells Gate thermal re-
serve ( Click here ), or a tour ($126/67) of Ohinemutu ( Click here ) Maori village. Pick-ups available.
Te Puia ( Click here ) and Whakarewarewa Thermal Village ( Click here ) also put on shows, and many of the big
hotels offer mainstream Maori concerts and hangi, including the following:
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
GOOGLE MAP (
07-348 0199; www.millenniumhotels.co.nz ; 328 Fenton
MAP
St; concert adult/child $25/15, incl hangi $55/25.25)
Holiday Inn Rotorua MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 0800 476 488, 07-348 1189; www.holidayinnrotorua.co.nz/
cultural-show.php ; cnr Froude & Tryon Sts; concerts & hangi adult/child $69/34.50)
Millennium Hotel Rotorua MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 07-347 1234; www.millenniumrotorua.co.nz ; cnr Eruera
& Hinemaru Sts; concerts adult/child $30/15, incl hangi $70/35)
Novotel Rotorua
GOOGLE MAP (
07-346 3888; www.novotelrotorua.co.nz ; 11 Tutanekai St; concerts
MAP
adult/child $39/18, incl hangi $69/19)
Shopping
South of town, Te Puia and Whakarewarewa Thermal Village have excellent selections of
genuine Maori-made arts.
Rotorua Night Market
MAP GOOGLE MAP
( www.rotoruanightmarket.co.nz ; Tutanekai St; 5pm-late Thu) Tutanekai St is closed off on Thursday
nights between Haupapa and Pukuatua Sts to allow the Rotorua Night Market to spread its
wings. Expect local arts and crafts, souvenirs, cheesy buskers, coffee, wine and plenty of
deli-style food stalls for dinner.
MARKET
 
 
 
 
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