A hāngī is a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated stones buried beneath the earth. Meat and vegetables are slowly cooked using steam and heat, creating the distinctive flavours and tenderness that make hāngī such a memorable dining experience. At Te Puia, visitors can enjoy an authentic hāngī as part of an immersive cultural experience, combining traditional cuisine with storytelling, performance and Māori hospitality.

How long does a hangi take to cook?

A traditional hāngī typically takes around three to four hours to cook, depending on the quantity and type of food being prepared. The slow cooking process allows the natural flavours to develop while creating the tender texture hāngī is famous for. More than just a cooking method, preparing a hāngī is an important Māori tradition that brings people together through shared food and culture.

Where can you eat hangi in New Zealand?

Hāngī is served at Māori cultural attractions and events throughout New Zealand, with Rotorua widely regarded as one of the best places to experience it thanks to the region's strong Māori cultural tourism offering. At Te Puia, visitors can enjoy an authentic hāngī as part of an immersive cultural experience, combining traditional cuisine with storytelling, performance and Māori hospitality.

Where can you eat dinner in Rotorua?

Rotorua offers a wide range of dining options, from casual cafes to memorable cultural experiences. For something distinctly local, Te Puia's evening Mārama experience combines a traditional hāngī with a cultural performance, giving visitors a Rotorua dinner unlike anywhere else.

Experiences

DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND’S MOST ACTIVE GEOTHERMAL GEYSERS, AND SO MUCH MORE...

Te Rā + Haka Combo

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$105 - WINTER PROMO

Te Rā Guided Experience

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$105

Te Rā Combo

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$196.50

Te Pō Combo

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$203 - WINTER PROMO

Te Pō

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$203

Mārama: Geyser Light Trail

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$49

Dinner + Mārama

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$146

Experience a day or night of excitement, culture, and connection at Te Puia – offering diverse experiences for the whole family.

Te Rā Guided Experience + Haka — 90-minute guided tour through our geothermal valley, Kiwi Conservation Centre and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, followed by a 30-minute cultural performance in our carved meeting house. Our most popular day experience.

Te Rā Guided Experience — 90-minute guided tour through our geothermal valley, Kiwi Conservation Centre and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Te Rā Combo — Discover the best Te Puia has to offer with a 90-minute guided tour through our geothermal valley, Kiwi Conservation Centre and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Enjoy a 30-minute cultural performance in our carved meeting house followed by a hāngī buffet lunch.

Te Pō Combo — Begin with a 90-minute guided tour, then indulge in a traditional hāngī buffet dinner with spectacular valley views, followed by a powerful 45-minute Māori cultural performance of song and dance, finishing with a hot chocolate on our geyser terrace. Our most popular night experience.

Te Pō — Experience a powerful 45-minute Māori cultural performance featuring song and dance, a hot chocolate at the geyser terrace and then indulge in a traditional hāngī buffet dinner with breathtaking valley views.

Mārama: Geyser Light Trail — A hosted, immersive night-time journey through Te Puia. Experience the valley as never before, with geysers, paths, and landscapes brought to life in a spectrum of light.

Dinner + Mārama: Geyser Light Trail — Our late-night experience combines a delicious buffet dinner, followed by a walk through our geothermal valley as you experience Mārama: Geyser Light Trail.

Everyone is welcome to shop at the Oha Gift Store, Āhua Gallery, or dine at Pātaka Kai Restaurant & Bar or Hiakai Café. Please note Te Puia is a cashless site.

Sustainability at Te Puia

As kaitiaki (guardians) of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From protecting our geothermal landscape and native wildlife to reducing our environmental footprint, every decision is guided by our responsibility to care for this special place. Our commitment has been recognised through our Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award, reflecting our dedication to environmental stewardship, cultural integrity and exceptional visitor experiences.

EXPLORE OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT

FAQ

What is there to do in Rotorua with kids?

Te Puia offers plenty for families visiting Rotorua. Kids can watch the spectacular Pōhutu Geyser erupt, see kiwi up close at the Kiwi Conservation Centre, explore bubbling mud pools and steaming geothermal landscapes, and watch talented tauira learning the traditional arts of carving and weaving. Guided tours are engaging for all ages, making Te Puia an educational and memorable experience for the whole family.

Where can you experience Maori culture in New Zealand?

Rotorua is widely recognised as one of the best places to experience Māori culture in New Zealand. At Te Puia, visitors can explore a living cultural destination where geothermal wonders sit alongside the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, cultural performances, authentic hāngī dining, and opportunities to see traditional carving and weaving being practised by the next generation of Māori artists.

What is the best Maori experience in Rotorua?

Rotorua is home to many outstanding Māori cultural experiences, each offering something different. Te Puia is unique in bringing together living Māori culture, the spectacular Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, cultural performances and authentic hāngī dining in one location. It’s an immersive experience that offers both cultural depth and natural wonder in a single visit.