Cultural Journey

HAKA Trails - Maori Culture Making Memories provides tours and experiences in the Turangi, Taupo and Rotorua region's - experiences with a Maori flavour! They draw upon the rich natural assets of their tribal homelands - the lush native forests, pristine lakes, sacred mountains, geothermal wonders and unique Maori heritage. It is a tour which provides you with an experience worth writing home about!

A locally owned and operated whanau (family) business, HAKA Trails provides its own exclusive tours, and also works closely with other local Maori and whanau to give you a broad selection of Maori experiences to choose from. Their excursions will be of specific interest to those who seek an opportunity to learn about and connect with Maori culture in a more natural, authentic and personable way. Highly educational, you will have the benefit of having staff close by to answer any questions you might have about our Maori heritage whilst engaging with this magnificent region and its people. 

This product offers full and half day excursions to well known attractions off the beaten track in locations such as Turangi, Lake Taupo and Rotorua, all with a distinctive `Maori Flavour`.

1130 - 1200

Celebrate art and history. Situated in the heart of Taupo, only minutes from the lake and Taupo's superb shopping district, Lake Taupo Museum and Art Gallery offers visitors an opportunity to celebrate both art and history in one ideal location. Learn about Taupo’s volcanic origins, Experience the beauty of a Maori meeting house, Browse through our displays of Taupo district's natural and human history, Enjoy the latest art exhibition. A light, airy space, our art gallery features regular exhibitions of New Zealand artists’ original work which is often for sale. Stroll through these inviting rooms and soak up the atmosphere.

The '100% Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Wellbeing' is the stunning New Zealand garden that won gold at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show in London. The garden explores the relationship between nature and Maori.

Lunch - please refer to our Dining Guide to peruse over 150 eating and drinking establishments in the region.

Experience the Volcanic Heritage of Lake Taupo. Go back in time, a truly unique geothermal wonderland, one of nature's true gifts. Cross the Waikato River by boat, then explore a world of gushing geysers, hot springs, boiling mudpools and some of the largest silica terraces in the world.

“Orakei Korako is possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand and one of the finest in the world”… Lonely Planet Guide

Take pleasure in an evening of Maori culture and cuisine at Wairakei Terraces. Watch Maori entertainers perform songs and explain the wonders of their traditions, myths and legends. Reminiscent of the magnificent pink and white terraces, it features replicated versions of the geothermal wonderland that once existed at Wairakei.