Itinerary

08:30am:  Courtesy pick-up from accommodation (we will confirm pick-up times)

09:00am:  Start of tour at Rotorua Government Gardens

09:15:  Journey enroute includes:

  1. Stop at the lookout point, the rock, where Hinemoa would sit and listen to the music drifting across from Tutanekai who was playing his pūtōrino (flute) from Mokoia Island
  2. A commentary of features of interest on the way including the Redwoods, Pikirangi marae, Ruamata School, Te Ngae Mission Station, Kahikatea trees etc.

09:45:  Arrive at Te Takinga Marae (our spiritual home) where our manuhiri are given a personal insight into the significance and importance of the marae to Māori; learn about the protocol of entering a marae; a karakia (prayer) is performed as part of this ritual and explanation about the wharenui (meeting house) and the carvings.

10:15:  Enter the whenua (land) of Pukahukiwi Kaokaoroa where our manuhiri will be taken to three stops including:

  1.  Stop One:  Hear our stories from “Cradle to Grave”; who we are, where we come from and the landmarks that are important to us.  We will also share our vision as kaitiaki (custodian) and our legacy to preserve our whenua for generations to come, including the environmental restoration of Lake Rotoiti.
  2.  Stop Two: on our hikoi (journey) is where we will share our rich stories of Māori battles in the 1800’s where warring parties journeyed across our whenua seeking balance and retribution. 
  3. This is our final stop at the Tamati Whare (hub) where our manuhiri are now considered whānau and invited to sit, relax and enjoy the amazing 360 degrees vista while sharing kai (light refreshments) with us.

11.30:  Depart Pukahukiwi Kaokaoroa enroute via Hamurana, providing a round trip around Lake Rotorua

12.00:  Tour ends with  our manuhiri returned  back to their accommodation