Beautiful scenery exists in every corner of the globe, but becoming familiar with the culture and history of one of the world’s most fascinating cultures is an additional reason to visit Aotearoa (New Zealand’s original Maori name). Here your Maori guides and hosts share the Maori worldview, where the land, sea and population are meaningfully interconnected.
Attend a private powhiri (formal greeting ceremony) where you will learn about tribal history and genealogy, customs and etiquette, and the importance of hospitality.
Ancestral stories illustrate the relationship between people and nature through visits to sacred mountains, forests and rivers, demonstrations of food gathering methods, forest treks to identify medicinal plants, and discussions of ancient navigation techniques.
The remote Northland at the very tip of New Zealand’s north island, is considered the birthplace of the Maori civilization. Here you can visit ancient Maori settlements and hike the giant kauri forestland which is home to Tane Mahuta, one of the world’s largest and oldest trees, probably almost 2,000 years old.
Celebrate Maori dining traditions which feature abundant seafood and native plants and herbs, earth-oven cooking methods (hangi), wine pairings featuring some of New Zealand’s premier wines, and stories to go along with each dish. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are an excellent place to enjoy a traditional hangi meal of flavorful tender pork, vegetables and potato bread. along with an entertaining musical performance.
Attend and participate in workshops that celebrate the Maori arts of woodcarving, weaving, painting and musical and traditional dance performances.
Cruise the New Zealand fjordland through the majestic beauty of the Milford and Doubtful Sounds with guides who explain the way they were navigated and named long before the arrival of European explorers.
Encounter whales, dolphins and albatross on excursions around the coastal town of Kaikoura where local traditions make each sighting a celebration of the relationship between the population and the bounty of the sea.
For your “step back in time” talk to your Travel Leaders expert for more information about an unforgettable cultural journey to New Zealand.
