Whakarewarewa
Whakarewarewa

Whakarewarewa

17 Tryon St, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua , 3010

The Basics

Whakarewarewa is a portal to the histories and traditions of the indigenous Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao people. Tour this faithfully preserved village, learning about the tribe and their stories from guides with deep connections to the land. Begin or end your tour with a cultural performance (kapa haka), which invites you to get involved and learn the language through songs and chants.

You can discover the valley’s geothermal lakes and native forest through scenic nature trails, and children can learn about geysers at the Te Matapuna o Papatuanuku earth science facility. Or, purchase a hangi meal traditionally cooked in geothermal vents.

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Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
star-4.5
US$134.35 per adult
Traveler Favorite
A tour saved, and excellent!
Both the tour guide and the guide at the Maori village were excellent! The Maori guide's hands danced as she talked! Her information on the Maori lifestyle and their village was interesting and clear. Our van broke down soon after leaving Tauranga. The guide got us to a small village and bought us coffee and pastries. A new van arrived soon, and the tour continued as planned. The guide stayed out later than scheduled to be sure we got in everything we expected on the trip, and more. A highlight of our time in New Zealand!
Michael_S, Mar 2023
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Recent reviews from experiences in Rotorua

Great and fun trip
star-5
Great and fun trip
sarah_k, Apr 2023
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
This tour is well organized, tour guide ,Toby, has great knowledge of history for each highlight area, with 10 of us fit in comfortable van, we were amazing to see historic bubbling geothermal village, don't miss the concert, must see, our group had a lot of fun and enjoying this tour. I highly recommend to have Arrow Tour when you at Tauranga
Good tour but needs work by operator
star-4
Good tour but needs work by operator
Tanya_H, Mar 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
This tour would of easily earnt 5 stars but I have to take one of for the bus driver and tour operator..Graham was constantly speeding 89 in a 55 zone etc..safety of your customers should come first. Another half a point lost due to re using the shore tour neck tags..great way to spread covid..otherwise tour was awesome
Fantastic trip
star-5
Fantastic trip
Stephen_J, Mar 2023
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
We had been looking forward to this trip and wasn't disappointed. Kerry our guide was excellent, full of knowledge of all the areas we went to. We saw, hot springs and mud, a Maori Cultural show, lakes, forests and beautiful scenery. Kerry made the trip memorable and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Fun and informative day!
star-5
Fun and informative day!
D_H, Mar 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
Traveled through the countryside in a small van to our destination. The driver and the guide were very good. We had a wonderful small lunch that had been cooked in the geothermal pools. The cultural show was entertaining and interactive. We had some traffic on the way back to port and arrived with 5 minutes to get on board. That was the only sticky point on the trip.
Highly recommend
star-5
Highly recommend
Jenny_M, Mar 2023
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
The tour was relaxed and informative with a driver who clearly wanted everybody to have a good day. Went to areas with a more authentic feeling and less commercialised. Great knowledge by the driver who related very well with his passengers. Highly recommend.
Beautiful way to spend a day in Tauranga
star-4
Beautiful way to spend a day in Tauranga
Pablo_R, Mar 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
The driver (Rob) was very knowledgeable of the area and shared a lot of information with us. The visit to the Maori village was very interesting and the Maori dance was beautiful.
Personalised tour of Rotorua area
star-4
Personalised tour of Rotorua area
David_L, Mar 2023
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
Thoroughly enjoyed the Maori cultural experience. As it was a small group of 4 of us, with friends, Toby adapted the itinerary to suit us and gave us excellent insight into local New Zealand, it's history and flora and fauna. He provided options for lunch to suit the group, and made several additional stops for photo opportunities, plus a visit to a kiwi farm to see the fruit and vines prior to harvesting.
The Maori concert was...
star-5
The Maori concert was...
robyn_b, Feb 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
The Maori concert was excellent, loved the scenery. The guide at the village was very informative and had a great personality . We were picked up promptly ,and our driver and guide Peter also did a great job. Would highly recommend this tour.
Maori Geo- Thermal Village.
star-5
Maori Geo- Thermal Village.
PaulWILLIAM_C, Feb 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
The bus driver was excellent, local guy with knowledge of the area. Very well organised at departure and an entertaining day. The only slight downside was the food at the village, But I hadn't noticed it was included was actually, so it was fine.
Wonderful excursion
star-5
Wonderful excursion
nanjoyal, Feb 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
Wonderful Māori guide showed us her village, told of the cultural values, explained their use of geothermal pools for cooking (our lunch, as it turned out.), and geothermal activities in the area. We saw a informative and entertaining Moari dance company. I highly recommend.
A fun adventure
star-5
A fun adventure
FRANCIS_E, Feb 2023
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
Wonderful adventure! Enjoyed even in the rain. The Mauri show was great. The thermal pools so interesting
Rotorua in a nutshell
star-4
Rotorua in a nutshell
Denis_O, Feb 2023
Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour
Seeing a village on top of thermal springs and active geysers. Chief gave us a very comprehensive description of village life.
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • The Living Maori Village is an essential stop for travelers interested in the Maori people’s history and culture, and New Zealand’s wild natural landscapes.

  • To save time at entry, buy advance tickets online.

  • Pack comfy shoes and water if exploring the village’s bush walks.

  • The resident ta moko artist can create a personalized tattoo design for you—and even tattoo it onto your skin—as a unique souvenir.

  • Whakarewarewa is wheelchair accessible and welcomes support animals. Staff can help with accessibility issues.

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How to Get There

From Rotorua’s city center, bus 11 runs every 30 minutes from Arawa Street bus terminal to the Fenton Street stop, which is a short walk to the village. Alternatively, take the CitySights Bus, which stops in front of the village on Tryon Street. The bus leaves from the i-SITE Information Centre on Fenton Street every two hours until mid-afternoon. If you’re driving, there’s also plenty of space to park.

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Trip ideas

Top Hot Springs in Rotorua

Top Hot Springs in Rotorua

You don’t have to look far to experience Rotorua’s geothermal wonders—hissing geyers and bubbling mud pools can be found all around the city. Visits to Rotorua’s natural hot springs are also a popular pastime. Here are some of the best options.

When to Get There

Whakarewarewa is open daily, except Christmas Day. Cultural performances are held in the early morning and late afternoon; hangi meals are served in the village cafe at lunchtime. Visit in the midafternoon to avoid crowds. Spring and summer are ideal for outdoor attractions.

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Marae Life

A central part of Maori social and spiritual life, the marae is a temple or gathering place where tribes*(iwi)* celebrate, mourn, and discuss the well-being of their communities. If traveling in a large group, experience marae life firsthand with an overnight stay tailored to your group. Hear local legends, discover customs, and learn to weave flax leaves.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Whakarewarewa?
A:
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in Rotorua?
A:
As well as visiting the Whakarewarewa, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit:

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