 |
||
Experiences
|
Te Puia Guided ToursAt Te Puia you can experience the Māori world, where guides proudly recount stories handed down from their ancestors. Te Puia guided tours run on the hour every hour from 9am-5pm (last tour in winter commences at 4pm). Our Māori tradition of guiding at Te Puia is something that we pride ourselves on. Many of the guides you meet can link themselves to Rotorua’s earliest guides. The stories they relay have been handed down for generations. Te Heketanga ā Rangi (heavenly origins) - Your guided tour begins at the main entrance, where twelve monumental carvings reach skywards, representing twelve celestial guardians. Discover stories of our ancestors' arrival and settlement in Rotorua at our world class exhibition gallery, Ngā Waru Pūmanawa, and explore our Māori customs and traditions at the Te Whare Tapere interactive gallery. Kiwi House - Next on our guided tour is the nocturnal kiwi house. See the New Zealand kiwi in a specially lit kiwi house with kiwi specialist guides at hand. Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley - Explore our unique geothermal reserve with thermal activity ranging from boiling mud pools to the world famous 30 metre (100 foot) Pohutu geyser, which erupts up to 20 times a day. Carving and Weaving Schools - Te Puia is home to the New Zealand National Carving and Weaving Schools. Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau is where the prestigious art of wood carving is taught by Master Carvers. Te Rito, our weaving school, trains students in the art and skills of weaving. Watch the carvers and weavers as they carry out the traditions of their Māori ancestors. Taonga Gallery and Gift Shop - Our guided tour ends at the Taonga (treasure) gallery and gift shop. Take home something unique and special from Te Puia. See a wide range of wood carvings, greenstone (New Zealand jade) carvings and jewellery, woven items and other authentic Māori treasures and souvenirs. |
