Te Puia

“Te Puia was a standout experience for our family. While I usually prefer to explore at my own pace rather than join a guided tour, I am so glad we did it here. By the end of the tour, I had gained so much insight and a deep respect for Māori culture. Our guide, Patrick, was fantastic. He was so engaging and warm that my three-year-old daughter even ran up to give him a hug when we left! That kind of connection really speaks to the spirit of the place. We also absolutely loved learning about the kiwis! Seeing these iconic birds up close was such a treat. It gave us a much deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s conservation efforts and the unique wildlife that makes this country so special. Pro-Tips for Your Visit • Go Early: I highly recommend booking an earlier tour slot. This gives you plenty of time afterward to go back and revisit the spots that were skimmed over during the introductory tour. • You can't miss the Pōhutu Geyser erupting. It is absolutely incredible to witness its power in person! It happens a couple times every hour. Overall, we had a wonderful visit and left feeling much more connected to the history and people of this area.”

“Honestly one of our 3 week trip highlights was our time in Te Puia. Our guide, Mikaere was phenomenal at making connections with us and translating everything Te Ao Maori for us. He took extra time making these personal relationships that really made us feel like family and not just guests. We felt personally more connected with not only this space in Rotorua, but overall with Aotearoa in general. DO whatever you can to retain him. We are so grateful for the chance to visit the marae which had mind-blowing talent with singing, seriously we went back to watch it twice! GIVE THOSE PEOPLE A RAISE! Then the hangi buffet lunch also blew our minds, we would eat there again. We are now huge fans of kawakawa. We spent so much time in the NZ Arts & Crafts Institute- it really moved us to see ancient Maori culture alive and being taught. The Kiwi conservation was special to see since that is not normally something we can normally see. Ngā Mihi nui for your hospitality and for sharing who you are with us.”

“Te Puia is a truly spectacular destination and visiting was a major highlight of our time in Rotorua. The geothermal activity is mind blowing and seeing the geysers erupt in person is an experience we will never forget. Our tour guide was excellent and did a fantastic job of sharing the history and stories of the valley with so much passion. We also really loved the live kiwi display which gave us a rare and special look at such an iconic bird. The walk around the premises was so beautiful and it is clear that the entire property is maintained excellently with a lot of pride. The buffet lunch was also outstanding and served separately with a huge variety of yummy options that really hit the spot. Every staff member showed wonderful hospitality and made us feel so welcome throughout the visit. It is a perfect blend of nature and culture that I would highly suggest to anyone traveling through New Zealand.”