Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner
About This Experience
Experience a night that will enlighten you - see, hear and taste Māori culture with a hāngī buffet dinner and cultural performance.
Savour a delicious hāngī buffet at our Pātaka Kai Restaurant & Bar, which overlooks a geothermal wonderland. Enjoy freshly sourced produce, traditionally cooked meats and vegetables, kai moana (seafood), and a selection of sweet desserts.
Be captivated by a cultural performance in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. The performance includes a pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (chant), poi, and haka.
Wrap up the evening with a stroll down to Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere and sip on hot chocolate.
Please note that in summer, the order of events varies. This experience is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes long and suitable for all ages.
Highlights
- A 45-minute performance in Te Aronui a Rua, Te Puia's carved meeting house — pōhiri, waiata, mōteatea, poi and haka
- Full hāngī buffet at the Pātaka Kai restaurant, which looks out over the geothermal valley
- Traditionally cooked meats and vegetables plus kai moana (seafood) and desserts
- The evening ends with a stroll down to Pōhutu Geyser and hot chocolate on the terrace
- The only evening experience here that puts you inside an active geothermal field after dark
What's Included
- ✓ 45 minute Māori cultural performance
- ✓ Water, Tea and Coffee
- ✓ Hot chocolate at the geyser terrace
- ✓ Traditional Māori welcome
- ✓ Full Buffet Hāngī Dinner
Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Good to Know & Caveats
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Meeting Point
Meet at the start point.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 111 verified Viator travelers.
Magnificent buffet dinner, great cultural experience and seeing the geyser is well worth the trip! Would dress warmly for the evening.
— Janine_A, Aug 202
Kya and the team were very knowledgeable, patient with all tour patrons and happy to answer questions along the way. Tea was amazing and there was plenty ready, there was a lot of variety. Very proud of their culture and this was evident in their presentation and they way they passed on knowledge with the tour.
— Bronwyn_B, Jul 202
Absolutely stunning views and beautifully talented culture, worth the experience. Everyone was lovely and great humour
— Lauren_M, May 202
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hāngī lifted from the pit in front of guests?
No. The food is cooked traditionally but arrives at the Pātaka Kai buffet without the lifting ceremony. If watching the baskets come out of the ground is the part you want, Mitai is the operator that does it.
What does the performance include?
A pōhiri — the traditional welcome — then waiata (song), mōteatea (chant), poi and haka, running about 45 minutes inside the carved meeting house.
Do you see the geyser at night?
Yes. The evening finishes with a walk down to Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, with hot chocolate served at the geyser terrace. Seeing it lit and steaming after dark is the main reason to choose this evening over the others.
What is not included?
Alcoholic drinks — available to purchase — and gratuities. Water, tea, coffee and the hot chocolate are included.
Is it accessible?
The venue and the transport options are both stated as wheelchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and specialised infant seats are available.
Other Experiences to Consider
Mitai Māori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua
Te Pā Tū: Māori Cultural Experience & Seasonal Feast
Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience + Haka
Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience
Voyages of Māori at Mitai Māori Village
Whaka Trails and Māori Village Combo Tour
Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa — The Living Māori Village
Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour — The Living Māori Village
