Mitai Maori Village

“Fantastic Experience. It seems expensive but when you break it all down it’s worth it! Started with a welcome talk and a walk around the Hangi Pit to check on dinners progress. We then ventured down to the river and observed a spectacular performance of the warriors moving along the river in sync. It was evening time so the waka (boat) had fire torches which made it quite a sight! We went back up to the hall near the restaurant and the family put on a performance full of tradition and culture. It was special to be invited in and allowed to witness this. The food on the buffet was delicious. My one negative about the food is that they need to label the dishes. It wasn’t obvious to tell what is what. Small labels with the name and also allergen information would have been helpful. The restaurant is tightly packed. A table that just about fits 8 people was packed tight to fit 10 people. Be aware the walk down to the river is steep and uneven so keep that in mind if you have any accessibility issues.”

“Had an absolutely incredible experience at Mitai Māori Village! From the moment we arrived, the host made us feel welcome and was friendly, engaging, and full of knowledge. The cultural performances were truly captivating, and will be a core memory for our children no doubt. The hāngī dinner was a highlight! There was so much food and it was very tasty. The pavlovas was not as good as an Aussie one but that's to be expected. 😉 The only small downside for us was the seating arrangement. Our table had five people on one side, which felt quite cramped, and as a family we would have preferred our own space rather than shared seating. That said, we do understand the communal concept behind it. Overall, it didn’t take away from what was a memorable and enriching evening. Highly recommend!”

“Just visited mitai maori village and it was a memorable night. The 3 hours tour felt very long and worth the money spent. The mitai maori chief "david" was very thorough explaining the maori culture. First we watch the maori men in the canoe cruising the river, and then we watch the show with dances and maori songs. They were great performers. We had a really a big buffet hangi dinner. The final part was a short walk to see the village and a small area of glow worms (pretty satisfying if you are curious for a free look of glow worms). Overall if you are into culture and a uniquely NZ memory then go for this. TIP: we went for a night tour if you want the night effect, with the men carrying a torch in the canoes and lights on the way passing the village.”

“This was by far one of my most favourite experiences while in New Zealand. This family business is enriched with culture, knowledge and sharing so much with so many people, both through food, speaking, dancing, singing and the amazing environment. I’m so grateful for your time and dedication to sharing. The cultural experience was fabulous and filled with passion. A beautiful bonus is that the leftovers of the amazing food goes to charities to feed homeless. It was raining during our visit, and umbrellas were provided. We brought our own ponchos and it didn’t take away from the experience at all. Absolutely phenomenal. Kia Ora!”