Sharing a fresh catch with friends, New Zealand style

Kai ~ Food

In terms of a visitor experience, learning about the importance of food in Maori culture can involve gathering (season and location), preparation (tribal and individual styles), ceremonial and religious concepts, and environmental considerations.

The identification, gathering, preparation and eating of traditional Maori foods can be a wonderful experience. Marae, home stays and adventure tours are best suited for this purpose, and visitors may be expected to partake in the gathering, fishing or hunting of food as part of their experience. Local Maori can provide detailed information in terms of favourable conditions in which to gather certain types of food, and the environmental and spiritual reasons for quantity and quality.