• Whakarewarewa Legacy Guided Tour

Rotorua’s iconic living Maori village

 Enjoy our Legacy Guided Tour of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao Valley, where our people have shared their way of life with visitors from all around the world for over 200 years.
Discover how our People have adapted and survived to live on top of a geothermal plateau…

Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour

Experience the warmth of our Legacy Guided tours through NZ’s iconic living Maori village. Our Village guides are direct descendants of the early Māori guides who’s Legacy shaped tourism in New Zealand for generations. Their insights, knowledge and legendary hospitality (Manaakitanga) adds depth and richness to the experience you’ll have at Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village.

On the Whakarewarewa Guided Tour, you will:

  • Explore an authentic living Māori village where people live on a daily basis, using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries.
  • View the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley including the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, boiling mud-pools, steam vents and bubbling pools.
  • Learn what it’s like to live in the challenging geothermal plateau where daily life includes cooking in the bubbling pools and steam vents, and bathing in the refreshing therapeutic waters. Take in our various historical landmarks and buildings, including an active Marae (meeting grounds and focal point of Maori communities), our WWII Memorial Archway, historic churches, and tapu (sacred) burial grounds. Whakarewarewa is truly NZ’s iconic Living Maori Village experience.

Guided tours of 1 hour are available daily at 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm daily.  Please note from 1st May 2024 daily tours will be at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm, NO 12pm guided tour.

Book early as there is a maximum of 20-30 guests per tour to ensure the Safety and Enjoyment of all Visitors.

MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Why not add this to your booking, we have a performance at 11.15am daily until 1st May when this will change to 12.30pm daily.

The Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao village people have a proud history of sharing their stories, song and dance spanning over a century.  Please enquire ahead of your visit to see if there is availability to experience this memorable and entertaining Cultural Show experience.

Health and Safety: Please note that all  visitors to our Village will be notified of any NZ Health Department processes and procedure in relation to Covid-19 best-practice guidelines and that anyone who breaches these guidelines will be asked to immediately leave the Village property.

PRICES:

  • Adult$45.00
  • Child (5-15 yr.) $20.00
  • Senior (Gold Card) $40.50
  • Family (2x adults & up to 4x Child) $118.00
  • Infant under 5 yrs FREE

ENTRY: 17 Tryon St. Rotorua. Phone: 07 349 3463

SAFETY: Your 1 hour Guided Tour experience requires you to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing.

CAUTION: Follow ALL public Covid regulations and KEEP to the Identified walkways at All times. Maximum 20 to 30 people per guided tour!

 

Guiding Legacy

Steam Cooking

Pōhutu Geyser

Memorial Archway

Experience more at Whakarewarewa
The Living Māori Village

Experience Māori Culture

Enter Te Whakarewarewa Valley and experience the unique Māori culture and heritage of the village. Our Living Māori Village is owned and operated by local residents, providing an intimate look into day-to-day life in a Living Māori Village.For over 200 years the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao tribe have welcomed visitors into their backyard, opening the doors to their way life and sharing the geothermal treasures.
Find out more >

Whaka Geothermal Trails

Our new geothermal nature trails provide exclusive access to an untouched geothermal landscape where Visitors can experience the raw nature of Papatuanuku (mother-earth). The Jurassic park-like landscape are described as providing regenerative powers as You find yourself face-to-face with Nature, Hot Spring Lakes, Mud Pools and native manuka bushlands.Please note that there is no access to Pohutu Geyser on our Geothermal Trails.
Find out more >

Hot Water Beach Campground

For a unique camping experience, the Hot Water Beach campground is located on the shores of beautiful Te Rata Bay on the southern arm of Lake Tarawera. Enjoy a warm, relaxing swim from the natural geothermal hot springs. Thirty campsites are available, with bookings essential. Accessible only by boat or on foot via the Tarawera Trail. The campground is at the end of the Tarawera Trail.
Find out more >
  • "So informative full of history. Very authentic... Delicious hangi one must try when there. Having been to other Villages this one is one of a kind! "
    Karolina – Palmerston North, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "It is once impressive for the landscape itself and twice impressive for the fact that it is a populated village where people get on with their lives by utilising the earth’s powers ."
    PhillipP- 03/2020 – via TripAdvisor
  • "The welcome at Whakarewarewa brought me to tears... Our guide was friendly, funny and informative."
    Susie – Rotorua, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "The Guide’s passion for their home was so beautiful and genuine. The waiata to finish the tour brought a tear to my eyes."
    Monique Enoka-Davidson – New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map
  • "Amazing heritage in this area, very friendly and inviting." 
    Estee Blom- New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map