Te Pa Tu: An Intriguing Evening of Maori Culture and Seasonal Cuisine

Experience an enchanting evening of Maori culture and indulge in a seasonal cuisine feast at Te Pa Tu. Immerse yourself in song, drama, tradition, and delicious local kai in a forest village setting.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 1072 State Highway 5 - Te Pā Tū offers an immersive experience of Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations over a 3.5-hour celebration and feast.
    Enjoy a feast of song, drama, tradition, and exquisite seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) – surrounded by majestic Tawa trees, glowing bonfires, and a natural amphitheater….
What's Included
  • Māori Cultural Performance
  • Traditional welcome ceremony
  • Māori fusion feast
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Return transport from central Meeting Point
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
Additional Information

Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, its blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre.
Te Pā Tū offers 3-hour evening events that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Across summer, Tū Te Rā celebrates an abundant harvest,…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(1392 Ratings)
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Kare
Apr 28, 2025
Delicious, excellent and goosebumps - The interactive activities were cool, the village was beautiful, well kept and gave a sense of peace. The food was amazing but overall, the kapa haka was the stand out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightsee45262489128
Apr 25, 2025
Outstanding evening at Te Pa tu - Ngā mihi nui, Te Pā Tū whānau! Thank you so much for inviting our team to your incredible incentive evening. A special shoutout to Ani—it’s been awesome having you visit both of our properties, Aura Accommodation and Ripple Rotorua. We truly appreciate the time you took to connect with us. Huge thanks also to the amazing booking team, especially Millyann, for reconfirming our booking and giving us such a warm welcome on arrival. The evening started off perfectly with a fun ride out to the village with Uncle JR. On arrival, we were greeted with a breathtaking and heartfelt welcome. From there, the interactive village experiences were absolutely fantastic, and the kai was delicious! Your village is a truly beautiful and special place. Dinner in the dining room was spectacular—each dish was a treat, and your friendly dining team made the experience all the more enjoyable. Thanks James for looking after the drinks! To finish the night with such an outstanding Māori cultural performance by Jamus and his whanau was unforgettable. The mana, the energy, the storytelling—just wow. We honestly can’t recommend Te Pā Tū enough. Thank you once again for such a memorable evening. All the very best until next time! Ngā mihi nui, Sophie and the team at Ripple & Aura Accommodation
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Savoko
Apr 25, 2025
Great evening with lots of culture, fun and good food - We had a great evening. The hosts, a Maori family were very friendly, endeavoured and you had the feeling they enjoyed showing everything. We particularly liked the fact that you are invited to participate at the individual stations yourself. You learned a lot from the culture, the music was very nice, the games were fun and the food was excellent and really more than enough. We already did a tour in Rotorua 20 years ago with a provider that is still around, but this one was on a completely different (better) level. Yes, it is a lot of money, but it was also a really nice and special evening!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Damonandarna
Apr 24, 2025
Best show you’ll see in Rotorua - What an incredible night from beginning to end we were throughly entertained with a professional heartfelt show . We loved being able to join in and be a part of the show. The amazing voices and talent of each and every person involved was world class. The food and service could not have been better . We Thankyou for a great entertaining night and sharing your story. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SHOW.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paradise56201431100
Apr 24, 2025
Te Pā Tū offers a world-class cultural experience that honors Māori heritage in every aspect! - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely breathtaking Te Pā Tū experience—from the stunning venue to the heartfelt performances, every moment was unforgettable. Every member of the Te Pā Tū team moved with grace and pride, demonstrating their deep connection to whakapapa (genealogy) and whenua (land) Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Britany_t
Apr 24, 2025
Wow! Absolutely Amazing! - This entire experience was so educational, interactive and insightful. I learned so much about the Māori history and culture. I am so grateful. Booking was very easy. The communication was great, providing clear instructions leading up to the time of pick up and during the bus ride over. Once we arrived, we witnessed a traditional welcome then we were able to entire the village and learn about different aspects of the culture. Following our cultural experiences, we had a traditional Māori dinner which was delicious. I highly recommend Te Pā Tū if you want an authentic Māori evening in Rotorua
Review provided by Viator
Jolenen632
Apr 22, 2025
100% Highly Recommended - Te Pā Tū Whānau, We are writing to express our sincere appreciation for the truly unforgettable experience we had during our recent visit to Te Pā Tū. From the moment we arrived, we felt something deeply special. The evening began with Ahi Tuku—a beautiful and sacred ceremony. It was an absolute honour to be part of this moment. Standing together around the ritual fire, listening to stories of renewal and welcoming the Māori New Year, we felt the mauri of the land and people resonate through our tinana. It moved us to tears, remembering loved ones we've lost, and reminded us of the importance of connection—past, present, and future. Throughout the evening, we were warmly guided by an exceptional team. Although we've forgotten some of their names, we will never forget the kindness and knowledge shared—especially from Matua Jamus, who offered us context and insight into Māori culture with such grace and generosity. The Hangi was an experience in itself. We were shown how our meal was prepared and then returned to the dining hall to enjoy a feast of chicken, lamb, kumara, roast potatoes, salads, and more. The idea of having it brought to our tables on plates gives it that extra touch!. So good, we held our plates for a while! After dinner, we were given an highlighted performance for the evening, which absolutely took our breath away. It wasn’t just a show—it was a powerful expression of identity, tradition, and pride. From the songs and dances to the demonstrations of traditional weaponry and customs, every moment was captivating. The Waiata of each country at the end was deeply moving. Wicked Singers! By the end of the night, it didn’t feel like we had just attended an event—it felt like we had been welcomed into your Whānau Whare. That sense of belonging is something we will never forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph
Apr 18, 2025
A must-do experience in Rotorua - We had an amazing evening at the cultural dining experience at Te Pa Tu. Everyone involved in the evening was full of energy and helped create an inviting atmosphere. The gourmet meal was very good, and we were served a wide variety of different foods. At the end of the meal, there was a very fun, interactive singing experience that ended the night on a high note.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reviews72
Apr 16, 2025
Te Pā Tū - amazing experience - This is a must do for anyone travelling to Rotorua. From the moment we arrived at check-in we were treated with kindness and friendly staff. Denise the menace was the best driver, he interacted well with us on the bus trip out and back. His love of singing and his knowledge were great. The small groups that let us learn about and engage with Māori culture and traditions was so interesting and appreciated. The singing and cultural dancing was something else. I felt privileged to listen to the amazing voices of all the men and women sing. Dinner was extremely delicious and there was a lot of food. The talented gentleman that played piano while we ate and his nephews that sung songs from all the different countries and in language was a really nice and special touch to the evening. It was really nice to see Māori culture celebrated, taught and alive. The pride that was shown by all who shared their culture was beautiful to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tad58
Apr 25, 2025
Touristy but worthwhile - Another reviewer noted that this was touristy but we are tourists. I agree. It starts off with various activities such a dexterity game that the Maori did. Then the meal was excellent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $154
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).