Explore New Zealand with these 5 Cultural Experiences

 It is eerily quiet, even as faint chanting commences in the background. The man with the wooden spear inches closer. He takes slow yet confident steps, as if trying to get a feel for who you are: a friend or a foe? It is dawn and the mist is slowly dissipating along the New Zealand landscape. The sky is becoming clearer and the nearby mountains become more vibrant as the morning sun starts to bounce off them. The rest of the Māori tribe stands in the back, positioned confidently as they watch the warrior determine your intentions. This is the weko, a traditional Māori challenge. It is part of a cultural protocol to ensure visitors come in peace. Whilst this particular experience is kept light-hearted with no inherent risk, it remains a profound expression of the vibrant traditions and communal values that define Māori heritage.

New Zealand is infamous for its dramatics landscapes (Tyler Lastovich)

In New Zealand, cultural authenticity is part of everyday life. Beyond its famed landscapes, the true allure of the country lies in its vibrant traditional heritage. The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand who intentionally keep their ancestral roots at the forefront of a lot of their daily routine. Nowadays, travellers can experience immersive celebrations and rituals which have been a part of their community for centuries. From welcoming ceremonies to hands-on workshops, New Zealand offers their visitors an array of culturally-intensive experiences to get a deeper feel for the Māori culture.

Visit a Marae

The Marae are Māori meeting grounds and are a focal point of Māori communities. They are fenced-in complexes of carved buildings and large grounds which belong to a single iwi (tribe), hapū (sub-tribe) or whānau (family). During your first visit to a Marae, you are known as sacred feet and cannot enter the community before partaking in a formal ceremony called a pōwhiri. This includes taking part in various rituals which may include the weko and watching performances in which the Māori chant and dance.

A lot of Māori architecture has intricate wood carvings (Mushtaq Hussain)

Within the Marae complexes, there is a carved meeting house which is considered one of the most prestigious buildings. It is called a wharenui and its structure resembles that of the human body. It will typically represent only one particular ancestor the tribe. Walking through the wharenui, you will notice the intricately carved panels and walls which refer to the genealogy of that tribe. It is also one of the ways that the Māori tell their stories, depicting myths and legends. 

Puhoi Māori Canoe Journey

On a soggy day in 1863, during the last leg of their journey, 83 immigrants sailing from faraway Europe, floated down the overgrown waterfronts of the Puhoi River in north Auckland. They were battling contradicting feelings of faith, home sickness, and sheer determination to build a community. After a four month sea voyage, they disembarked to build their new lives with the help of the Māori. The new arrivals were known as the Bohemian Settlers and by 1870, more immigrants joined them until about 200 Bohemians lived at Puhoi.

Over 150 years later, visitors can now follow in their footsteps (or in this case, canoes) and meander their way around the same water passages which the Bohemian settlers once took. Whilst they were brought to the land by canoes of the local Māori, travellers can experience the last 8km-10km journey from the Puhoi Historic Village to the Wenderholm Regional Park by hiring kayaks. 

One of the country's most famous views - colourful lupins on the shore of Lake Tekapo (Nareeta Martin)

Kaitiakitanga on Kapiti Island 

Kapiti has been a part of Māori heritage for generations, dating as far back as the 12th century. The island is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most important nature reserves. In 1897, the country’s Prime Minister, Richard Seddon introduced a bill which would ‘conserve the flora and fauna of the Island’. Those who take care of the island, welcome visitors and give tours are known as kaitiaki (guardians). As descendants of Māori tribes, they apply a kaupapa-based approach, also known as their guiding principles. 

What makes this cultural experience unparalleled, is the opportunity to discover the connection between Māori environmental stewardship (kaitiakitanga) and biodiversity protection. The island is also home to about 1,200 Little Spotted Kiwi and seeing one is considered to be a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The island even has overnight options which would guarantee serene stargazing moments as you learn more about their constellations such as the Puanga and Matariki.

You can also take a kayak to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay to see the Māori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupō (Callum Parker)

Māori Genealogy

Hīkoi Waewae, also known as walking journeys are treks done through a local Māori perspective. Whilst many of these walks can be done independently (such as New Zealand’s infamous Tongariro Crossing), going on a guided tour with a local Māori is an experience which delineates tribal heritage. The pounamu history (greenstone or New Zealand’s jade), is associated with legends and Māori genealogy, also known as whakapapa. These walking journeys are found all over the country which could be one way to delineate your New Zealand itinerary.  

The Māori connections to whakapapa is also practised through their crafts. From weaving to carving and dancing, their genealogy is passed down through various art forms. Māori tribal costumes are a big part of what each tribes represents. The colors and shapes refer to local landmarks and geological bodies whilst carving has always been a traditional way for their community to keep their stories alive for generations. There are a number of Māori workshops across cities such as Auckland and Wellington. Of course, it may be pertinent to get a more immersive experience by asking the local Māori communities you find yourself in. 

Wanaka Lake in New Zealand (Nathan Cowley)

Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival 

The Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival stands as one of New Zealand's premier celebrations of Māori culture and performing arts. Held every two years, it brings together teams from across the nation to showcase traditional songs, dances, and rituals, offering a vibrant display of ancestral pride and creative innovation. Participants blend centuries-old traditions with modern expression to captivate audiences and preserve their cultural heritage. 

Beyond the competitive spirit, the festival serves as a unifying event where communities share stories, values, and the dynamic energy of Māori identity. Tourists are welcomed to experience this cultural spectacle firsthand, immersing themselves in the dynamic performances, sampling traditional Māori cuisine, and engaging with local artisans at cultural workshops throughout the event. In every performance, Te Matatini reaffirms the resilience and richness of a culture that continues to inspire and evolve. 

Colourful clothing and traditional face tattoos are a big part of Māori heritage. Celebrations and festivals are the perfect time to pay homage to this part of their culture (Robert Stokoe)

New Zealand’s cultural experiences offer a dynamic dialogue between the ancient and the modern. It is a place where communities continue to maintain an intense relationship with their ancestors, practising and celebrating in ways no different than centuries before. The Māori are not only proud in demonstrating this, they also invite travellers to witness and take part in the legacy of their traditions. These indigenous and cultural experiences showcase how these traditions continue to inspire contemporary life. They are also a reminder to embrace cultural curiosity and engage with local communities, each activity acting as a reinterpretation of the legacy of the Māori.