Event Support Material

Maori Cultural Mission to UK and Europe
May 2009

Maori stories highlight the essence of a New Zealand experience in a way new to the travel trade.

During May 2009 Maori operators visited travel sellers in London, Amsterdam, Switzerland and Germany to promote New Zealand. On this page you can find a list of participants, links to their listings in our Industry Guidebook and links to their own websites. Using stories of this unique land to theme travel itineraries these operators presented yet another way for visitors to experience New Zealand.

Maori Operators from the Twin Coast Discovery Highway

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway between Auckland and the tip of the North Island Cape Reinga is where visitors can walk in the realm of gods. Experiencing Tangaroa guardian of the sea, Ruaumoko guardian of Volcanoes, Tawhirimatea guardian of winds and Tanemahuta guardian of forests. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway leads visitors to the subtropical far north where the climate promises a warm welcome. Explore the golden beaches, Waitangi the birth place of New Zealand as a nation, forests housing giant kauri trees, and Cape Reinga famous for its spiritual importance to New Zealand.

Potiki Adventures

Beginning in Auckland visitors can experience the largest city in New Zealand, built on and around volcanic landscape, from a contemporary Urban Maori experience with Potiki Adventures. Enjoy the comfort of visiting Maori artists in their homes, shop for authentic Maori clothing, arts and crafts and take in the stories of the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Phone: +64 (0)9 845 5932
Email: info@potikiadventures.com
www.potikiadventures.com

Waka Taiamai Tours

Travel north of Auckland to the Bay of Island’s and Waitangi the birth place of New Zealand as a nation. This is the tourism hub of the Northland region and home to Taiamai Waka tours. Crew a traditional Maori canoe and meet with Hone Mihaka’s (owner operator) family as they share with you an experience talked about around the World.

Ph: +64 9 405 9920
Email: hone@taiamaitours.co.nz
www.taiamaitours.co.nz

Culture North

During the warmer seasons experience one of the few evening experiences of the Bay of Islands - Culture North. Allow this experience to bring to life the pre and post European history of the Bay of Islands showcasing a theatre style performance and Maori story telling at its best.

Phone: +64 (0)9 402 5990
www.culturenorth.co.nz

Footprints Waipoua & Crossings Hokianga

One hour to the west of the Bay of Islands is the stunningly beautiful Hokianga Harbour and spiritual environment of the Waipoua Forest. Encounter the largest Kauri Trees in the World on a tour with Footprints Waipoua. Learn how these giants are intertwined with the lives of local Maori and the important role the play both nationally and internationally.

The Hokianga harbour itself is generically accepted as the residential place of Kupe who is credited as being the first human to discover the islands of New Zealand. Crossings Hokianga is a harbour cruise that shares thousands of years of beautiful history about Hokianga’s landscape and people.

Phone: +64 (0)9 405 8207
Email: info@footprintswaipoua.co.nz & info@crossingshokianga.co.nz
www.footprintswaipoua.co.nz & www.crossingshokianga.co.nz

Maori Operators from the Thermal Explorer Highway

The Thermal Explorer Highway is thought to be the path in which fire demons surfaced to land in various spots from White Island to Tongariro creating the regions many geothermal activities. The Thermal Explorer Highway includes Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Ruapehu, and Hawkes Bay regions. This highway showcases these regions crystal clear lakes, streams, natural spas, skifields, geothermal activity, and wineries. The highway promotes a wide variety of Maori offerings ranging from tranquil intimate experiences to adrenalin adventure seeking rushes. All of which ensures visitors are provided with a uniquely Maori experience.

Te Puia

Travel to Rotorua’s famous cultural centre of Te Puia. Established to revive Maori arts and crafts Te Puia is New Zealand’s most visited Maori cultural experience. Te Puia’s latest experience on offer is "Te Po" an intimate and personal experience, to learn about Maori culture, history and customs through meaningful stories, song and dance culminating in a sumptuous feast (capacity of 120).

Phone: +64 (0)7 348 9047
Email: patrickt@tepuia.com
www.tepuia.com

Kaitiaki Adventures

Kaitiaki Adventures is Rotorua based, Maori owned and operated, and offers a white water adrenalin experience unique to New Zealand. With the option of rafting and sledging (boogie boards like) Kaitiaki Adventures integrates culture into what has traditionally been seen as only an adventure experience. Guests learn the importance of cultural respect for New Zealand’s rivers at the same time enjoying what Kaitiaki Adventures have to offer.

Phone: +64 (0)9 7 357 2236
Email: info@kaitiaki.co.nz
www.kaitiaki.co.nz

Hell’s Gate and Waiora Spa

Close to the base of Kaitiaki Adventures the location of Hell’s Gate and Waiora Spa has been used to rejuvenate and heal locals for centuries. Hell’s Gate is set amongst an active geothermal reserve, where visitors can experience a unique geothermal mud bath, pure sulphurous spa, or the unique Wai Ora massage - based on the concepts of Miri Miri, Maori massage.

Phone: +64 7 345 4117
Email: haydn@hellsgate.co.nz
www.hellsgate.co.nz

Waiora Spa Resort

10 minutes drive from Hell’s Gate the Waiora Spa Resort is a contemporary culturally-themed resort. The onsite Mokoia restaurant specialises in gourmet New Zealand food. It hosts no less than eight treatment rooms and private and public spa pools and saunas.

Phone: +64 7 345 4117
Email: haydn@waioragroup.co.nz
www.waioresort.co.nz

pureORAwalks

Approximately one hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, the base of pureORAwalks. With the majestic scenery of dormant volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and their active brother Ruapehu - pureORAwalks offers a range of multi to single day walking experiences throughout the region. With a fusion of Maori culture and education all pulled together with story-telling, experiential learning, and environmental sensitivity pureORAwalks is sure to exceed expectations.

(Currently the only operator to have concession to guide the entire Tongariro Alpine Crossing)

Phone: +64 (0) 21 715 947
Email: contact@pureORAwalks.com
www.pureorawalks.com

For further enquiries about Maori product, experiences, and stories please visit www.newzealand.com or www.livinglandscapes.co.nz

Regional Websites: