Globally, there has been a rise in interest in people wanting to experience cultural tourism, with the global cultural tourism market size worth USD 6.08 billion in 2023, projected to touch USD 17.81 billion by 2032.
As more visitors seek to connect with local culture, communities, and heritage, New Zealand In Depth now offer the most authentic ways to experience the heart of the country’s cultural identity- Māori people, who have been inhabitants there for centuries.
From award-winning accommodation where guests are welcomed into the home and community of the local Māori, to being in the world’s first place to witness sunrise atop Maunga Hikurangi, the sacred mountain of the Ngati Porou people, visitors will leave with a wealth of insight into the spirit and culture of the Indigenous people of New Zealand.
“The global cultural tourism market is huge, and we have seen a significant rise in people visiting New Zealand purely to discover, experience and explore the culture and heritage,” says Paul Carberry, New Zealand expert and founder of New Zealand In Depth.
“Māori culture is central to New Zealand’s national identity, and visitors eager to experience it authentically will be captivated by the range of activities and attractions that provide a deep insight into its rich history and traditions.
“For people hungry for deeper experiences, we have combined the most authentic historical and cultural attractions on the Island to help visitors gain a genuine and enriching insight into Māori heritage that goes beyond traditional tourism.”
Those eager to experience an authentic Māori cultural experience can visit the Māori-owned whānau business Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd, this year’s winner of the New Zealand Tourism Award in the category celebrating businesses that embody and integrate core Māori values, stories of identity and land into their operations.
Staying in a lakeside cottage with panoramic views of the water, the experience offers guests the opportunity to fully immerse in a modern Māori community surrounded by tribal lands and ancient forestry, with the chance to get involved in cultural activities like weaving, haka lessons and nighttime eel fishing.
Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy a real slice of New Zealand culture as they prepare and cook a traditional Māori Hangi feast using ancient cooking methods used by ancestors for centuries, before dipping into the succulent, smoky, flavours of the hangi meats and vegetables.
Nature lovers can stay on one of New Zealand’s most important nature reserves, Kapiti Island, through whānau (family)- run, business Kapiti Island Nature Tours, who have been operating a nature and cultural tourism experience on traditionally owned Māori land since 1820.
Here, visitors will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Kiwi-spotting experience after dark, before falling asleep in the comfort of a glamping tent or cabin, drifting off to the sound of native birdsong and the nighttime calls of the Kiwi.
Guests will continue to revel in the breathtaking views of New Zealand’s most spectacular thermal wonderland Orakei Korako and marvel at the active geysers, boiling hot springs, jade-green waters, and one of only two geothermal caves in the world. Take a step back in time as you tour the magical natural site, which was originally occupied by the native Māori people.
After enjoying the breath-taking scenery of Orakei Korako, guests will travel North to embark on the Ancestral Footprints Cultural Tour, a whānau owned and operated business, around Mount Tarawera , which was once home to a number of Māori settlements. Take in the famous pink and white terraces along the edge of Lake Rotomahana, before concluding the day bathing and relaxing in the geothermal waters.
Early risers can participate in the sunrise experience on Maunga Hikurangi, the sacred mountain of the Ngati Porou people. Journey under the dark Southern skies and a blanket of brilliant stars before ascending the treasured peaks to view nine Māori carvings depicting the legendary story of Maui, a demi-god who slowed the sun, while watching the sunrise in the background.
Finally, guests will have a special opportunity to join two celebrity chefs and Deon Muir, former Waikato Chiefs player and captain of the Māori All Blacks, for an unforgettable experience of fishing, foraging, and feasting. Embarking on a guided ocean adventure across the Maketū bar with Muirs Tours, you’ll catch and prepare your own fish, discover traditional Māori cooking techniques, and indulge in a delicious meal while enjoying cultural storytelling.
“The ancestors of Māori arrived on canoes from Pacific islands before 1300 CE, bringing with them a vibrant culture steeped in tradition, art and spirituality, which has left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the island’s identity hundreds of years later,” added Paul.
“Māori culture is deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition and the communities have demonstrated resilience and adaptability to keep their heritage alive. These experiences provide an opportunity to learn about and honour a culture that has lasted for centuries.”
