Whakarewarewa
The Living Maori Village
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Whakarewarewa
Set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity, hot thermal springs and hot bubbling mud pools is the living thermal village of Whakarewarewa, situated in the heart of the tourist diamond of Rotorua.
Join a guided tour and discover the wonders of Mother Nature and learn how we have come to live in harmony within this unique environment.
Sit back and relax at our twice daily Maori Cultural Performances while we entertain you through song and dance. Our melodious voices accompanied by hand movements tell the stories of our heritage, past and present.
Indulge your senses and try our Traditional Geothermal Hangi, Hangi Pie or Corn Cob, a tasteful and refreshing experience.
Details
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Organisation |
Whakarewarewa, The Living Maori VillageCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua |
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Coordinates |
Geothermal
Cultural Experiences
Reviews
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4.5/5
The tour was really good although it has gone up in price and the price hasn't been changed online yet.
We had a very knowledgeable guide and the thermal activity was very interesting and quiet active... The food in the cafe was appalling and we couldn't drink the coffees we got there... The food in the old cafe that used to be there in the village was so much better than the new cafe they have now, so it was very disappointing but the tour and experience was worth the money we paid.
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5.0/5
Loved the local history, tour and performances!
They show you their cultural ways of living.
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4.0/5
A great place with all funds going straight to the community.
Tour guides are very friendly and informative, living in the community themselves. The food is average but it is all about the experience rather than the meal quality. The trail around the area is nice and short, but was a little difficult to navigate due to no signage, however if you utilise the map you get an indication of what you are looking at. Cultural performers were very entertaining!
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4.5/5
Tons of water in the hot pools and in clouds overhead.
But lovely Maori guide, astonishing place, Hangi was simple and tasty! It would be better if we had explanations in french on paper.
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3.0/5
Not really my thing even if interesting, but the show had such amazing singers so we went twice.
Totally worth it.
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4.5/5
The tour was really good although it has gone up in price and the price hasn't been changed online yet.
We had a very knowledgeable guide and the thermal activity was very interesting and quiet active... The food in the cafe was appalling and we couldn't drink the coffees we got there... The food in the old cafe that used to be there in the village was so much better than the new cafe they have now, so it was very disappointing but the tour and experience was worth the money we paid.
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5.0/5
Loved the local history, tour and performances!
They show you their cultural ways of living.
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4.0/5
A great place with all funds going straight to the community.
Tour guides are very friendly and informative, living in the community themselves. The food is average but it is all about the experience rather than the meal quality. The trail around the area is nice and short, but was a little difficult to navigate due to no signage, however if you utilise the map you get an indication of what you are looking at. Cultural performers were very entertaining!
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4.5/5
Tons of water in the hot pools and in clouds overhead.
But lovely Maori guide, astonishing place, Hangi was simple and tasty! It would be better if we had explanations in french on paper.
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3.5/5
Great little village setup around geysers which the residents still use to cook on.
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3.5/5
The tour with the local guide was interesting.
And it was nice to see how they live in the village. The Poi for me was a must see.
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4.0/5
We saw an impressive landscape and enjoyed a nice day in this village with very friendly people.
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4.0/5
Despite the rainy weather, we had a great day among the geothermal wonders of this area and in the village.
Great guide who told us all about Maori culture and geothermal events.
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4.5/5
Fascinating place to visit.
You learn a lot about Maori culture and geology from your guide and then you can wander round the village by yourself after the one hour tour.
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4.5/5
This Maori Village was nice because of it was the real home of the Maori people and our tour guide lived there.
Steaming hot ponds were very interesting.
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5.0/5
The guide was really interesting and the guide who we could call Chief was very funny and he knew what he was doing.
Great insight of how Maori people were living and also a great show.
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3.0/5
Not really my thing even if interesting, but the show had such amazing singers so we went twice.
Totally worth it.
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4.0/5
Although the cheapest 'touristic' site at $35 you get an insight into the living village.
How they make use of the multiple hot springs. Includes music, singing, and guided tours.
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5.0/5
Good mixture of Maori Culture and geothermal area information.
Guided tour was interesting and the Maori show was exhausting.
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3.0/5
Nice visit of a traditional Maori village with interesting representations by Maori artists.
The geysers and hot springs were also quite incredible to observe, but the price was way too high for what it is.
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5.0/5
Great experience, truly seeing nature's power.
The guided tour gives some insight into New Zealand culture as well.
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3.5/5
Not sure if I would recommend this tour as the tour guide was not very knowledgeable, but maybe this is because he was young.
On a positive note, the cultural performance was enjoyable.
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5.0/5
How perfect could a hot water pool be?
Find it out at Whakarewarewa Village! Nice location with a real Maori Village and some nice walks around.
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5.0/5
One of my personal favourites!
A really nice combination of mud pools, geysers and other bubbling sources and the Maori Culture. Our guide did a really great job! Definitely a must do!
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5.0/5
We enjoyed the authentic feel.
History and culture focussed on this village provided by guide who lives in the village. It was interesting to see how their geothermal environment is used in everyday life - cooking, bathing in outdoor baths, corn directly from a superhot mineral pool. The view of the Pohutu geyser fabulous. The cultural performance was very good but would have liked more on customs around the opening challenge. There is also a track around part of the village that takes you to thermal area which was very interesting. Very good value.
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3.5/5
Must go to the tour to understand more of the culture and some meaning of the building sculpture.
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4.5/5
Great tour of a living maori village.
Our guide, Robert, was very informative and entertaining, and gave us many insights into past and present maori culture. The cultural performance was wonderful, with the performers obviously enjoying the presentation. Excellent being able to see the geysers from there.
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