Best of Maori Tourism Ltd.
1189 Fenton Street, Rotorua,
PO Box 6048, Whakarewarewa
New Zealand
Ph +64 7 347-4226
Fax +64 7 347-4227
Email info@nativeartsnz.com

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New Zealand Maori Culture

Rotorua was first discovered 600 years ago by a maori explorer named Ihenga. He was out hunting one day when one of his dogs disappeared chasing after a kiwi. The dog returned some time later with his coat wet, having eaten a meal of half-digested fish. Ihenga realised he must be close to water, so he searched until he discovered Lake Rotoiti and later, Rotorua.
Te Arawa people arrived on the Arawa canoe in the mid-14th century, having travelled from Hawaiki, the legendary home of all Maori in Eastern Polynesia (Hawaiki). They moved inland and settled in the Rotorua and Taupo-National Park area.
The Te Arawa Maori of Rotorua began hosting visitors as far back as the nineteenth century. That is when people came from all over the world to see the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana.
Whatever the encounter ... at a hotel, a cafe, a 4WD adventure or helicopter flight...Maori people enrich your experience. You'll be spellbound. Stories of their ancestors, tribes, landmarks and heroes are passed down from each generation and Maori will share them with you.
You'll also enjoy the easy-going sense of humour, and the laughter.
Although most of the Maori population live in the urban areas, there are about 35 maraes (tribal meeting grounds) in the Rotorua district, most of which lie in rural areas.
You may be lucky to enough to stay as a guest on a marae - an experience you'll never forget.
To add a rich dimension to your Rotorua visit seek out the Maori legends which abound. Beautiful, spiritual, romantic, funny, sad - they relay how we have become the Rotorua of today.
For instance the boiling lake in Kuirau Park was named after a beautiful young woman Kuirau.
Many of our stories are woven into the songs, haka and dance you'll see in cultural performances throughout the Rotorua region.