Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to Te Pā Tu. Kō te pā tū, he tohu nō te ora. An elevated sanctuary, a symbol of wellbeing. Pā sit at the epicentre of our communities.
(436)
Te Pā Tū (previously Tamaki Māori Village) presents culture and kai (cuisine) – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across four hours of celebration and feasting. They were places of physical refuge in times of war, and they remain sanctuaries for our mind and spirit. Pā are where we meet to discuss critical issues, where we celebrate occasions of significance and where we st
rengthen our own understanding of who we are. Te Pā Tū is located 15 minutes South of Rotorua, 45 minutes North of Taupō, and 3 hours South of Auckland International Airport along State Highway 5.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“I have been raised in te ao Māori - language, customs, and whakapapa (ancestry). My family is the most important thing to me. I truly enjoy what I do, particularly when it involves kapahaka. I was a costume and design assistant for Tū Te Ihi and am working toward becoming a costume designer.” - Waitangi
Torch light guides manuhiri (guests) to a lavish but relaxed four course feast.
Our truffle oil is from Ngāti Whakaue (north of us), our honey is from Tūhoe (east of us), and our wine list is sourced almost entirely from Māori winemakers.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
I’m all about family, and it’s a big part of who I am. Singing, playing guitar, and sharing our culture are my passions, but I also enjoy learning about different cultures, traditions, languages, and customs. I teach Māori performing arts at secondary schools like Tai Wānanga and Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. At the University of Waikato, I teach beginner Māori students performing arts and serve as a Māori Liaison. I also help tutor Rotorua Intermediate and Rotorua Boys High School kapa groups for regional and national kapahaka competitions.
We proudly serve pārera (duck) and kokopu (whitebait) as delicacies of Ngati Tahu | Ngati Whaoa who sustainably farm and harvest our kokopu supply.
Our experience is a 3-hour feast of knowledge and divine seasonal kai within our native forest Pā (sanctuary), it's tawa trees and crackling bonfires.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“I am a full-time student at the University of Waikato, studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and Indigenous Studies. I also teach Māori Performing Arts to students at Tai Wānanga in Hamilton. Who I am and what I do at Te Pā Tū is the same life I live outside of Te Pā Tū.
I’m passionate about all aspects of my culture, my family, and performing arts. I enjoy meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and performing songs in various languages.” – Rangimaewa
Witness song and dance over dinner service, as it might well occur at any pā or marae (meeting ground) during a hākari (feast).
Hāngi shares a table with Māori fusion dishes created and curated by our celebrated chefs.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“My sister and I were raised in Ōtaki with our Kui (Grandma), while our brothers were with our parents. I got closer to my Te Arawa whānau (Rotorua family) when I attended Rotorua Boys High School as a boarding student. In the past year, I’ve completed two marathons and enjoy staying fit. I’m also passionate about diving and gathering kaimoana (seafood), even though I don’t eat it myself. I love sharing kaimoana with the elderly - they can’t get out like they used to.” – Tohuariki
Within the forest-formed amphitheatre stories are shared through wānanga (discussion).
Kai horotai (canapes) welcome guests with seasonal favourites, boil-up broth and kawakawa tea.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“I grew up in a small rural Māori community east of Rotorua, where all my neighbors are cousins and Māori language and traditions are everywhere. I love hanging out on the farm with my Koro (Grandfather), riding motorbikes, and swimming in the river with my cousins; it makes me feel so free. Spending time with my baby is the best part of my day - whether it’s in the morning before she goes to kōhanga (kindergarten) or when I get back from mahi (work) late at night. What I’m most proud of is sharing our Māori culture with a talented young crew every day.” - Taruke
Tū Te Ihi spans the time of year when the Matariki cluster of stars sit high and bright in our winter skies.
Our menu is designed seasonally and looks to our whānau and neighboring iwi first for ingredients and produce.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“I was born and raised in a small place called Rotoiti. I’m the youngest of five boys, and we’re a family passionate about rugby and kapahaka. Growing up in Rotoiti, I was fortunate to be immersed in te ao Māori (the Māori world). Currently, I’m studying to become a Māori performing arts teacher, and in my free time I play rugby for my iwi team, Rotoiti.” - Manukau
Pā sit at the epicentre of our communities. They remain sanctuaries for our mind and spirit.
Kai (food) provenance is important to us, as is supporting other Māori producers and creators.
Meet our Storytellers ⭐
“I am still in school at Rotorua Girls High School, I’m Year 12, and I want to be a pilot. Outside of Te Pā Tū my main priorities are my studies and preparing for my future. I have been here (Rotorua) my whole life. Growing up as a Māori Cook Islander I have always been surrounded by family and culture. My first Cook Island performance was when I was four and first kapahaka performance was at the age of six – culture has been my whole life.” – Ngareta (Ayva Marsters)
Tū Te Ihi begins with an Ahi Tuku (fire ceremony), then kai horotai (canapés), hearty broth
and steaming tea, and fireside kōrero (conversation) in the native forest.
Our Tū Te Ihi 2024 four course hākari (feast) pays homage to the stars of Matariki (Pleiades).
Winter heralds the arrival of Matariki star cluster and welcomes the new lunar year.
Welcome to the mid 1800’s Aotearoa, to a time post the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi and before the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. Welcome to Te Pā Tū.
Winter is near, so our Tū Te Ihi celebrations have begun. There are homecomings, reunions, and, as our ancestors draw closer, nostalgia too.
Introducing: Tū Te Ihi our Winter Matariki Celebration. It is passion, feasting, performance, and celebration across a 3-hour degustation of Māori culture and kai (cuisine).
100% Pure New Zealand
Rotorua NZ
NZ Māori Tourism
Tū means to be elevated, raised, stand, erect. Pā Tūwatawata is used to describe a fortified village.
Our spirituality is bound to the land, rivers, oceans and mountains, Te Taiao (natural world) to which we belong.
Kai (food) is an expression of manaakitanga (honouring people), intrinsic to Māori culture.
A woman’s voice marks the final ceremony of welcome, it is her karanga (call) that issues your invitation into the forest pā (village).
Te Pā Tū nourishes the spirit, its ancient forest canopy, blazing bonfires, and heartwarming welcoming.
1070 State Highway 5, Tumunui
Rotorua
3073
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Te Pā Tū - New Zealand posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Te Pā Tū - New Zealand:
Introducing: Tū Te Ihi our Winter Matariki Celebration. It is passion, feasting, performance, and celebration across a 3-hour degustation of Māori culture and kai (cuisine). 100% Pure New Zealand Rotorua NZ NZ Māori Tourism #TePāTū #TūTeIhi #RotoruaNZ #NZMustDo
Karena and Kasey Bird's take on a Surf and Turf. Lamb topped with Mussel Verde 😍 Book now: https://te-pa-tu.com/ 100% Pure New Zealand Rotorua NZ NZ Māori Tourism #purenz #rotoruanz #nzmustdo #nzmaoritourism #matariki
We couldn't have a hākari (feast) without our huawhenua (vegetables). Acknowledging the star in the Matariki cluster, Tupuānuku, and all of our kai (food) that grows within the earth. Book now: https://te-pa-tu.com/ Karena and Kasey Bird 100% Pure New Zealand Rotorua NZ NZ Māori Tourism #purenz #rotoruanz #nzmustdo #nzmaoritourism #matariki
Oven roasted kūmara with watercress purée. This canapé acknowledges the star in the Matariki cluster, Tupuānuku, and all of our kai (food) that grows within the earth. Book now: https://te-pa-tu.com/ Karena and Kasey Bird NZ Māori Tourism Rotorua NZ 100% Pure New Zealand #purenz #rotoruanz #nzmustdo #nzmaoritourism #matariki
Te Pā Tū presents culture and kai (cuisine) - sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across four hours of celebration and feasting. #TePāTū #RotoruaNZ #NZMustDo
Learn an old but new type of greeting today - the Hāmamao which is a long distance hongi. Our cultural manager Jamus will show you how it's done in this video
Our wāhine (women) performing the beautiful Māori POI dance ❤️
Some short snippets of a wonderful night of song and dance. Kia ora Rhapsody Rotorua 2018!!! Find out more about Rhapsody here: https://bit.ly/2MPVFwg
Tamaki Maori Village are finalist for the BEST cultural experience in AUSTRALASIA with the Golden Backpacker Awards. Loved your experience - we would love your vote. Click on the following link to register & VOTE for TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE.. http://goldenbackpackawards.com.au/register/?step=register
Check out these moves! The feathers adorning this taiaha were used to add to the beauty of this Maori weapon, and also to distract the opponent during battle #TamakiMaoriVillage #MaoriCulture101
We've loved hosting Lions supporters, especially teaching them NZ's famous haka! Check out this awesome effort 🖒
@juliefinch shared this adorable video of her two sons learning the haka with us! They had watched haka on YouTube and had the time of their lives trying it at #TamakiMaoriVillage
Travelling New Zealand on the #KiwiExperience bus? Come spend the night at #TamakiMaoriVillage! A big thank you to Lani for sharing her awesome video with us, and a special shout out to driver Simon too ☺
#SneakPeak at our traditional Maori hangi, cooked in the earth for 3.5 hours feat. succulent NZ lamb chicken & vegetables 👌😍
Voting closes tomorrow!! � If you haven't already support us by voting through the link below. We've been nominated for the 2016 Golden Backpacker Awards in two categories - BEST Cultural Attraction & BEST Accommodation. We have some cool giveaways for some of our voters! All you need to do is like us on Facebook, and leave a comment with #TMVROTORUA Please click on this link to vote! http://goldenbackpacks.tntdownunder.com/
Vote for Tamaki to Win! � We've been nominated for the 2016 Golden Backpacker Awards in two categories - BEST Cultural Attraction & BEST Accommodation. Please support us by voting in the link below, then validate your vote by clicking on the link sent through to you email. We're offering a couple of fantastic giveaways to our voters which include: A selection of branded Tamaki Wine & a printed t-shirt with the lyrics of the Maori Haka posted anywhere in the world! Simply like us on Facebook, and leave a comment with #TMVROTORUA Please click on this link to vote! http://goldenbackpacks.tntdownunder.com/
It's New Zealand music month throughout May! We love sharing our culture through music. Here is a Kiwi Experience group who we taught a classic Maori song during their overnight stay with us 🎤🎵🎧 #tamakimaorivillage #nzmusicmonth
Danielle (Ontario, Canada) on her overnight stay with us - "I had the best experience today at the Maori cultural experience. And I had the best dinner of my life. I teared up when I heard the love song..."
