Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Rotorua, New Zealand
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get an authentic introduction to Māori culture the way few tourists do, with an evening at the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua. See men in traditional dress paddle down the river in a waka (canoe) and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. Watch a haka war dance and poi performance, and spot glowworms in their natural habitat. This evening experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional buffet hangi feast, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
- Learn first-hand about New Zealand's indigenous Māori culture
- Enjoy a guided bush walk to learn about native flora and fauna
- Let one easy booking handle a whole host of plans
- Worried about language barriers? No need, there are eight to choose from
What's Included
- 3 hour nightly cultural experience
- Hangi served from a buffet alongside other side dishes and dessert
- Participate in a short guided bush walk to learn of the flora and fauna and see glow worms
- Māori Cultural Performance
- Courtesy transfers from local accommodation providers within Rotorua (limited places)
- Coffee and/or TeaSpring Water / Tea & Coffee
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
You're transferred from your accommodation in Rotorua after a personalized meet-and-greet and photo op with a Māori woman in traditional attire. Then learn some basic guidelines for entering the Mitai Māori Village, considered a sacred cultural and spiritual space to the Māori people.
In this bush setting of New Zealand's North Island, discover the history of the area once thriving with indigenous villages. You'll observe Māori warriors paddling a waka, or canoe, down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and visit the Fairy Spring for a look at freshwater eels, trout, and glowworms.
The evening's cultural entertainment includes a performance of games, songs, and dances including the haka, or war dance. Learn about Māori customs, including the medicinal uses of native plants.
Savor a selection of succulent dishes during a traditional hangi feast, with foods cooked underground in an earthen oven. Your dinner includes New Zealand meats and poultry along with vegetables and fresh salads. Top off your meal with buffet-style desserts. Drinks are available for purchase from the full bar.
Afterward, you're dropped off at your hotel.
In this bush setting of New Zealand's North Island, discover the history of the area once thriving with indigenous villages. You'll observe Māori warriors paddling a waka, or canoe, down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and visit the Fairy Spring for a look at freshwater eels, trout, and glowworms.
The evening's cultural entertainment includes a performance of games, songs, and dances including the haka, or war dance. Learn about Māori customs, including the medicinal uses of native plants.
Savor a selection of succulent dishes during a traditional hangi feast, with foods cooked underground in an earthen oven. Your dinner includes New Zealand meats and poultry along with vegetables and fresh salads. Top off your meal with buffet-style desserts. Drinks are available for purchase from the full bar.
Afterward, you're dropped off at your hotel.
1
Mitai Maori Village
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Wheelchair accessibility is limited for the 'bush walk' - exit into the forest is via stairs. Viewing of the waka (canoe) is from a platform and you can go a short distance into the forest to view the old pā (village) and see the sacred spring below the forest. Unfortunately, you will not see the glow worms. (Note: there is some uneven surfaces).
- Please note there is a small walk through the forest which has some steps and uneven ground in some areas
- Infant seats are subject to availability
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately - warm comfortable clothing and walking footwear
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,357 reviews
Andrew_M, Mar 2026
Might not be as glitzy as some fancy Hawaiian luaus, but this family run experience is still well worth it. Good story telling, good food, energetic show, plus you get to see some glow worms too.
Barbara_V, Mar 2026
We enjoyed a lovely evening learning about the Maori Culture. The ‘Host’ who described many traditions and such was very friendly and shared lots of history, traditions and stories of his people. The dinner was plentiful and delicious. We very much enjoyed the cultural dances, like the Haka as well. Walking to see the glowworms once it turned dark was the only difficult part, as the path is a bit uneven & not well lit. Overall a very nice evening and we can recommend.
Carolyn_P, Mar 2026
What a fun evening! The knowledge and closeness we got to feel of the Māori people was so beautiful! It was fun sitting at a table with strangers and leaving as friends! The food was our absolute favorite of our entire stay on the north island! Highly recommend!
Bill_S, Mar 2026
Both the performance & dining were exceptional! A family operation providing useful insights to Maori culture & history.
Brenda_C, Mar 2026
A good introduction to Māori culture. Nice buffet style dinner. At times, the performers were difficult to hear. An audio system would be beneficial.
Paul_C, Mar 2026
Lovely evening learning about the Maori culture. A very colourful show with dinner. Three hours was a little too long.
Katharine_M, Mar 2026
Great experience giving an insight into the culture, food, traditions of the Maori people.
Highly recommended.
Scott_M, Mar 2026
Just do it. You will not be disappointed. The greatest part of our journey. The show was brilliant, the food from the hungi unbelievable.
James_S, Mar 2026
It was very entertaining and educational. Lots of fun for all ages. The food was great and the walk along the brook was cool.
Allen_K, Mar 2026
Great experience . Leam a lot about the Maori Culture. Parking on site was easy and safe. Food was good and have many varieties. Thank you again!!
Andreas_P, Feb 2026
Excellent food and informative show. It was the perfect end to my trip. Highly recommend if you're traveling to Rotorua.
Debbie_K, Feb 2026
So interesting to hear about the Maori culture and history of New Zealand. Performances were great and the walk was beautiful!
joanne_p, Feb 2026
This was a great experience, well worth seeing. It was educational and enjoyable. I really enjoyed learning the Maori culture, the singing and Huka.
The food(hungi) was fabulous.
Kieron_D, Feb 2026
Well organised and informative all round experience. Set in the Mitsubishi village and run by Moari family, this has a beautiful bush and river setting with the food and entertainment in large tents on site. After the entertainment, after dark, there is a further opportunity to walk back through the bush and see glow worms in a natural setting
Sharon_F, Feb 2026
Great night out. Hosts were informative and entertaining. The food was absolutely delicious and sooooo much of it.
It was great that the evening involved us visiting different areas of the village.
Entertainment was really good, and the performers certainly looked to be enjoying themselves.
We had a fabulous evening, and also learned a lot about the Maori culture.
Sandra_C, Feb 2026
Some of the event is outside and so be prepared for all weathers. Don't eat before you go, there is loads of food.
Elke_F, Feb 2026
Nice tourist stop and something to do in the evening after a day of hiking. The food was delicious and the show was wonderful. The bus pick up was excellent and a great convenience.
Russell_P, Feb 2026
We were quite keen to experience this having read many reviews on Trip Advisor. Found it really easy to get to, parking was easy and the dining room was comfortable. We were welcomed in a traditional Maori greeting, and were then able to watch the team bring their boat up the river, before dining on a beautiful Hangi. THen into the other hall for explanations of Mari Culture, tattoos and weaponry, as well as song and dance and of course an incredibly powerful feeling Haka
Pam_Z, Feb 2026
Definitely a must-do in NZ. We learned so much about the Māori people and their culture. The show was a treat and the food was excellent.
Renee_Y, Feb 2026
Despite the downpour, the Experience was enlightening, well run, and quite entertaining. The MC had a great and LARGE personality that really added to the event. I enjoyed learning about the Maori Culture and specifically this segment. The question/answer session toward the end of the night was most interesting. The Hanga was super yummy and massively plentiful!! Also, enjoyed being seated with visitors from other countries.
The Maori presenters during the cultural show were talented and engaging. I have to take some exception with one of them--she had a GREAT voice, but seemed not interested in (and a little put-off) to be sharing her culture with us.
Kristin_B, Feb 2026
We had a great time while learning more about the local culture. Everyone was very accommodating and welcoming.
The best part was when our host would take questions from the guests and we got more in depth - fortunately our fellow guests asked great questions! Though our host tried to make a misguided point using American politics that came off as quite naive and didn't make much sense, the rest of the Q and A was helpful to improve our understanding.
The group sizes are quite large, though they managed the crowd well. I would also recommend being able to walk on uneven surfaces for at least 100m as some of our group struggled at times.
Karleen_C, Feb 2026
I have friends from America with me so we wanted to share a cultural experience with them. Guy the host was really lovely. Unfortunately they didn't have a gift shop showing our local artist where my friends would have paid a lot of money on gifts for their families back home.
Jayne_R, Feb 2026
Very well organised trip. Collected promptly from outside accommodation as requested and agreed. Gained excellent insight into the Māori village and its history. Excellent good and entertainment.
Philippa_S, Feb 2026
Great experience learning about the Maori culture. Loved the performances and their singing was amazing. We finished with a lovely meal with loads of food that catered for all. Would highly recommend it.
Mark_P, Feb 2026
Transport provided from accommodation address to the event. Very well put together experience and meal excellent and plenty of it.
Jennifer_A, Jan 2026
A few hundred people, so hard to get a chance to see anything. Very few glow worms. The food was fantastic and plentiful!
Debra_S, Jan 2026
Big groups so a little rushed through the guided tour
Family owned and managed
The food was plenty and delicious
The show was great
Priya_P, Jan 2026
Well organized experience - intro to the culture, dinner, Q&A, cultural show. Limited vegetarian options, ask about what’s in the dishes if you have dietary restrictions.
Michael_R, Jan 2026
Highly informative and entertaining evening. The food was quite good and plentiful as well. They accommodated a group of approximately 100 people (there was also a second group on site with whom we did not interact) but everything was done quite efficiently and I never felt crowded or rushed. I was a solo traveller and ended up being assigned a table with other solo travelers which was a nice touch. An overall fun evening.
Karen_D, Jan 2026
Great introduction to Māori culture. Enjoyed the different aspects of the experience- the show, questions and answers, traditional food and walk through the village. Very well done
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