Encompassing a culture that is both ancient and living, Maori traditions go deep into the spirit of Aotearoa (New Zealand). There are many ways to discover the full richness of a Maori culture experience, from ancestral sites to modern Māori cuisine. But no matter where you might be in Aotearoa, whether visiting museums or marae, standing atop an ancient pā site, or sharing a meal rooted in centuries of tradition, the Māori world is ready to welcome you.

Overlooking Waitematā Harbour toward Rangitoto Island, the Ōrākei Marae, is a living Maori village where the local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei maintain ancient Maori culture and traditions. Today tours allow you to visit and gain a deeper and intimate understanding of traditional Māori life, from witnessing the sacred pōwhiri welcoming ceremony to marvelling at the carved representations of the tribal ancestors and exploring the surrounding gardens.

Established in 1888, the Toi O Tomaki - Auckland Art Gallery is the place to take a deep dive, with artwork spanning Maori history to the moment of first contact between Māori and European explorers in the 1600s and beyond. Displayed amongst 17,000 historic and contemporary artworks, the collection is home to permanent and touring works that explore Maori stories, with exhibits including Maori paintings, portraits and evolving cultural styles.  

For New Zealand’s most extensive collections of Māori artefacts, the Auckland Museum is where ‘taonga’ - the Māori word meaning ‘something prized’ - is on full display at the Living Taonga Māori Cultural Experience. Held twice daily, indigenous artists and orators will take you on a journey of songs and stories. Exhibits hold many other wonders, including carvings, full-size wharenui (meeting houses) and the last Māori war canoe carved from totara tree.

Blue Rose Café

One of the best ways to experience any culture is through food. Inspired by recipes rooted in Cook Islands and Māori heritage, the Blue Rose Café in Auckland blends Pacific and Māori flavours in inventive and delicious homemade dishes. This local gem is a popular local go-to for its Māori-inspired pies, rewena (Māori sourdough bread). Enjoy a slice of tradition in a relaxed atmosphere. 

What is pōwhiri?

Traditionally beginning at the waharoa - which is the entrance to the marae or ‘meeting ground’ - a ‘pōwhiri’ is a powerful Māori ceremony that welcomes visitors to the site. The ceremony is made up of whaikōrero (formal speech), waiata (singing) and kai (food), and is usually initiated by the kaikaranga (women caller) who stands at the front to conduct the formal welcome. 

Where to stay

You’ll find modern, spacious accommodation at the Quality Hotel Lincoln Green, a scenic drive from the beautiful west coast beaches and sporting the popular Good Home Gastro Pub.

Housed within the Hundertwasser Art Centre, the Wairau Art Gallery is a trove of carvings, painting and multimedia exhibitions designed by Māori curators. These incredible displays bring together the vibrant cultures of Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), so it’s no surprise that the name ‘Wairau’ is Te Reo Māori for One Hundred Waters. The exhibits include Te Pou Tāhuhu a Kūkupa, elaborate carved wooden posts that depict the history of the local ‘rohe’ or area.

Once the site of a fortified pā (village), Mount Parihaka is an ancient volcano that today offers panoramic views of Whangārei. The site holds deep spiritual and historical significance for Māori. Take some time to explore the three walking and mountain biking trails that wind through bushland to the summit. Along the way, you’ll see the remains of a settlement site, including housing terraces and defence fortifications.

Tu Tika Tours

For an intimate experience of Māori customs and traditions, join a Tu Tika Tour. The popular tour includes a traditional welcome, kapa haka performance, kai (food), as well as a sharing of ancestral stories. There are a variety of tours to choose from, including walking tours, virtual tours and customised adventures. A great way to engage with Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).

Named after a star cluster, known by its ancient Greek name as the Pleiades, Māori traditionally believed if the Matariki stars were very bright in the sky, it was a sign of a fruitful harvest to come. Held in mid-winter, Matariki Day 2025 includes traditional festivities, events and celebrations across Aotearoa, from art exhibitions, craft workshops, to food events and nature walks. 

Where to stay

Enjoy views overlooking Whangārei Harbour at Comfort Hotel Flames Whangārei with studio accommodation set amongst lush tropical gardens.

Towering over Lake Taupō, and accessible only by water, the 14-metre-high Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings are regarded as one of the country’s finest tributes to Māori culture. Carved in 1970, by artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, these carvings depict Ngātoroirangi, the Māori navigator who guided Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupō area over a thousand years ago. You can visit this iconic site by kayak or cruise. 

Just a short drive from the town centre, the spectacular Huka Falls plunge 10 metres from a volcanic channel into the Waikato River, creating one of New Zealand’s most powerful natural attractions. In Māori culture, water (wai) is the source of life, and Huka itself means ‘foam’ - and as you witness this spectacle from the footbridge at the top of the falls, you certainly get a strong sense of life and nature at its most dynamic. 

Tales of Māui 

A towering figure in Māori legend and Aotearoa history, Māui was not only a being who conquered the sun and brought its light into the world, but he also created the islands known today as Aotearoa, New Zealand - Aotearoa meaning ‘land of the long white cloud’. Māui became famed for his trickery and exploits, but ultimately met his demise while trying to trick  Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death and the underworld, into making humankind immortal. 

Where to stay

Situated close to this spectacular natural beauty, Quality Inn Acapulco is a great option, centrally located close to Taupō attractions.

Amongst the Art Deco heritage, the Pania of the Reef Statue is one of Napier’s best-known landmarks. Telling the story of a sea maiden’s doomed love for a Maori chief, this 1.5 metre high sculpture was unveiled on Marine Parade in 1954. Visit the statue and find out more about Pania’s connection to Napier - some say they can still see her swimming in the waters nearby.

Otātara Pā Historic Reserve 

Known for being one of the most impressive archeological finds in New Zealand, this ancient pā site overlooking the Ahuriri Estuary was once home to thousands and played a key role in regional tribal life. Today, Otātara Pā Historic Reserve is a natural and cultural wonder filled with walking tracks with stunning views and signs that tell the stories of the people who once lived here.

After a day of exploring, head to Pasifika Grill, where Māori and Pacific Island cuisine come together in a fine-dining experience. With dishes that highlight indigenous ingredients, you’ll find everything from macadamia nut pancakes to Kalua nachos and seasoned Mahi Mahi, crispy pork belly and chicken kelaguen tacos. Open from breakfast to dinner. 

Where to stay

Quality Inn Napier is centrally located and an ideal option for exploring the town’s charms. Close to Westshore Beach, Comfort Inn Westshore Beach is another great option situated near Ahuriri Estuary Wildlife Reserve.