The South Island, also known as Te Waipounamu or Te Waka a Maui, offers fascinating Māori cultural experiences. Hear the story of Paikea and learn about local tribes and protocols.

Whale Watch Kaikōura

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

  • Hear the story of Paikea
  • Come up close with giant Sperm whales
  • Stunning scenery

Get up close to giant sperm whales

Hear the story of Paikea and feel the connection between Māori and the sea.

Book an experience

At Whale Watch Kaikōura, glide across the southern waters and, if you're lucky, come up close with giant Sperm whales. Hear the stories of how the local Māori people live with the land and sea together as one. Learn about the great ancestor, Paikea, who came to Aotearoa from the Pacific Islands on the back of a whale many centuries ago. 

Waka Abel Tasman

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Nelson Tasman

Highlights

  • Paddle a waka along the coast
  • Visit Toka Ngawhā, Split Apple Rock
  • Learn the protocols associated with waka

Paddle a waka

Glide across the stunning waters of Abel Tasman national park.

Book a tour

Paddle a waka (Māori canoe) along the Abel Tasman coast with Waka Tours Abel Tasman. As you glide across the water, hear the stories of Māori ancestors who sailed waka across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Learn the protocols associated with paddling a waka before embarking on our journey to Toka Ngawhā, Split Apple Rock.

Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

  • Immersive cultural center
  • Visit Ōpihi Rock Art sites
  • Make your own rock art

Visit Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre

Explore some of the original art galleries of Aotearoa and the rock sites of the Aoraki region.

Visit Te Ana

Journey through the history and culture of Ngāi Tahu (the local Māori tribe) with Te Ana Māori Rock Art(opens in new window). Explore the practice of rock drawing, make your own rock art and visit some of the ancient sites – where haunting images were painted on the walls and ceilings of limestone caves by Māori ancestors' many hundreds of years ago. 

Waka on Avon

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

  • Local Māori stories
  • Paddle handcrafted waka
  • Located in the city centre

Explore Christchurch by Waka

Join experienced sailors and guides in navigating the Ōtākaro Avon river through Christchurch's city centre.

Book a tour

See the stunning city of Christchurch from the water. Paddle the Māori way under the guidance of Waka on Avon(opens in new window) expert sailors. Get up close to historical sites and learn about the history of Māori and European settlers in the construction of Christchurch, and who knows, if you're lucky you might just see some eels.

Dark Sky Project

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

  • Summit star gazing tours
  • Gold status Dark Sky reserve
  • Lakeside dining

Stargaze from the mountaintops

Elevate yourself to 1,029m and experience the stars like never before.

Book a tour

Connect with Aotearoa's night sky through Dark Sky Project. Experience 360-degree night sky views from the summit of Mount John in Canterbury.  Or you can get up close with the project's multi-media displays to learn about Māori creation stories and how early Māori navigators used stars to guide them. Finish your night lakeside, and tantalise your taste buds with the Dark Sky Diner.

Āmiki Tours

christchurch-canterbury

Highlights

  • Discover hidden food establishments
  • Learn te reo Māori
  • Meet the locals

Taste food, wine and culture

Find the best spots with the help of an Āmiki Guide.

Book a tour

Let Āmiki Tours(opens in new window) guide you through the laneways of Ōtautahi Christchurch as you discover unique foods, local stories and historical sites. Learn some te reo Māori (the Māori language) and link up with locals to get the inside scoop. If you'd like more, Āmiki Tours can work with you to curate an experience bespoke to your desires.

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