Historical Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$148
per adult
Mitai Maori Village
Mitai Maori Village
4.5
Full view
About
An evening at Mitai Māori Village will give you an authentic introduction to Māori Culture leaving you amazed and in awe. We invite you to come and share in the culture of our people and discover who we are as Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Rotorua, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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4.5
2,561 reviews
Excellent
1,562
Very good
680
Average
194
Poor
68
Terrible
57
Karen R
1 contribution
Fantastic experience. Felt very privileged to be invited to share in this amazing families culture. The food was superb and the show outstanding
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cody H
Provo, UT23 contributions
Dec. 2023 • Couples
This village provides an excellent look into Māori culture. We learned a ton about the people and their culture. They have a cultural performance which was our favorite part. The meal provided was very well done, not our favorite food but fun to try traditional foods. The only thing I would change was that it ran a little long. Could’ve been just a little bit shorter.
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise M
Willow Spring, NC57 contributions
Our group really enjoyed learning more about the Māori culture through their dances and scenarios. The host was informative and had good humor. The q&a session was appreciated as we all was curious about their tattoos and dances.
The food was tasty and plentiful. My only complaint is that I felt a bit rushed through the meal.
We arrived right on time but would recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early to have time to get drinks.
The food was tasty and plentiful. My only complaint is that I felt a bit rushed through the meal.
We arrived right on time but would recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early to have time to get drinks.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rawiri P
1 contribution
Nov. 2023 • Family
Awesome experience. Hosts were great, and some great information shared. Topped with some yummy food.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary
Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand18 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Friends
I have done this experience back in 2018 with my course/study group and not much has changed - but all still good! It was really hard to book this as it was very busy and popular, I was told to refresh the website and check for cancellations and luckily I managed to fit my friends in. It was alittle frustrating tho and slightly embarassing when they had to change our table number because the one they initially gave the first time was wrong, shuffling through a crowd to be seated in our table. Despite it all, was great, Huia and the Mitai staff was great. I have lived in NZ for 15 years so most of what was said I already knew but Huia was super great at explaning everything to my friends. Food was great - buffet Hangi style! My friends enjoyed it and thanked me for booking it. Affordable yet super educational. Waiata, Haka and showcasing weaponry or ancient instruments were well done. Big ups to the speaker and performers, beautiful voices and great humour. I think I also Cliff Curtis at one point but was too shy to say hi.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whatsthequay
Melbourne, Australia44 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
A little on the expensive side in my opinion. The night starts with trying to get a carpark- arrive at least 15-20mins early to make sure you get a spot especially if its raining, we were driving a medium sized campervan and luckily got the last 'campervan sized' park (in front of the shed garage door, bit of an awkward spot to park).
The walk outside was nice, it was raining- bring a rain jacket. We were shown the hangi food being cooks- that was cool to see then went for a walk in the rainforest scenery down to a lake where we were shown the traditional boat and men rowing- that was cool!
The performances- try get a front row seat, lots of details to see and experience the show up close, very cool.
We then went back into the dining room to have buffet dinner, well organised by table. A little bland tasting for my liking but they did explain that the flavors were based on how the ancestors would have flavored their foods- don't count on amazing food, its fine as part of the experience but I don't think ill be craving it any time soon- plenty of food for everyone, highlight was dessert (pavlova/ chocolate roll). The tables were made up of random 10 people, no one else spoke English on our table so wasn't very fun in terms of meeting new people.
After dinner we went for another walk, this time in the dark to see glow worms and a set up of how the village would have been back in the day- great way to finish before having to deal with the carpark situation and getting out.
Wouldn't do it again, but glad be did it once.
The walk outside was nice, it was raining- bring a rain jacket. We were shown the hangi food being cooks- that was cool to see then went for a walk in the rainforest scenery down to a lake where we were shown the traditional boat and men rowing- that was cool!
The performances- try get a front row seat, lots of details to see and experience the show up close, very cool.
We then went back into the dining room to have buffet dinner, well organised by table. A little bland tasting for my liking but they did explain that the flavors were based on how the ancestors would have flavored their foods- don't count on amazing food, its fine as part of the experience but I don't think ill be craving it any time soon- plenty of food for everyone, highlight was dessert (pavlova/ chocolate roll). The tables were made up of random 10 people, no one else spoke English on our table so wasn't very fun in terms of meeting new people.
After dinner we went for another walk, this time in the dark to see glow worms and a set up of how the village would have been back in the day- great way to finish before having to deal with the carpark situation and getting out.
Wouldn't do it again, but glad be did it once.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie R
Spokane, WA32 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
While there was some educational value, the experience was just too “touristy” for me. The “host” was engaging and we enjoyed some of the singing and other parts of the show. The dinner was a not very good buffet — plentiful — but bland and the lamb was over cooked and had very little flavor. I’m sure some people there really enjoyed it but it was our least favorite activity of a long vacation in multiple NZ cities and towns.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bournetoparty
lincolnshire140 contributions
Enjoyed the evening, well set up, good experience throughout. Plenty of food to eat. Interesting learning about the history and traditions. Worth a visit if you’re in Rotorua.
If you are travelling in a motor home there’s plenty space to park at the venue. If taking children it’s quite a late finish.
If you are travelling in a motor home there’s plenty space to park at the venue. If taking children it’s quite a late finish.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Face_The_Elements
Edmonton, Canada281 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Mitai Māori Village is an immersive and captivating experience that beautifully showcases Māori culture. The host was entertaining, professional, and seriously enthusiastic about sharing his culture with audience members. He answered all our questions with comedic timing and made the whole experience way more fun. The cultural aspect kicked off with performers greeting us on a canoe on a nearby river, which led to a detailed performance under a covered auditorium which included a large set. Following the entertainment, we indulged in a traditional hangi feast, which included lots of meats, potatoes, stuffing, some vegetables and seafood. Once we were full, we took part in the glow worm viewing. Mitai Māori Village makes visitors feel a genuine connection to New Zealand's rich heritage and is recommended for anyone seeking an authentic encounter.
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris G
2 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Solo
This was an excellent night the compar was very knowledgble and witty.
I learnt so much about Maori culture and history
Chris
I learnt so much about Maori culture and history
Chris
Written 9 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry Horan
1 contribution
Can you drive to the village or do you have to be collected from a local hotel?
Toon
Eindhoven, The Netherlands301 contributions
Yes, you can. There is a free carpark at the village.
There is also a possibility that the organization will pick you up at your hotel.
JocelynTan
Westland, Michigan
Do you need to pay for parking to Mitai Maori Village
Otmar G
Feldkirch, Austria477 contributions
As I went there by bus directly from the hotel I wouldn't know. But the bus makes good sense.
rvl2197
Lancaster, UK7 contributions
Hi, deciding whether to do just the experience or to add on the evening glow worms and kiwi tour too? I already plan to visit Waitomo caves etc so not sure if worth the extra cost here?
Mitai Maori Village
Rotorua, New Zealand
Hi There, We have few glow worms on our track walk after dinner, Waitomo offers a much more glow worm focused tour. Our Culture show is the big point of difference with traditional hangi (food) :)
What's the walking like around there I have a walking stick but do have a little trouble walking at times
Stephen T
Redcliffe, Australia42 contributions
It is dark if you go on the walk and a little uneven. If you decide not to go on the walk, it is worth attending the dinner. The walk however is not far.
Jimmy Ong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia808 contributions
Should we visit Waitomo Glow Worm Caves since this experience already comes with the bush walk where we can also see glow worm? We don't want to experience the same thing twice.
kallia63
Perth, Australia110 contributions
Hi - definitely do the glow worm caves - you see so much more!
Hi, I am planning to book an evening experience in Mitai Maori Village. Can anyone share what is in their menu buffet? It would really be helpful since I am a muslim and interested to experience maori culture. I have searched in their website but no details in there.
Reslimpan
Rayong, Thailand3,066 contributions
Chicken and lamb for protein. Several veggie dishes as well
graham w
Kinloch, New Zealand14 contributions
Hi we went to see show n have Kai really enjoyed the Hungi Kai, what I want to ask is how long are you people expected live
Breathing in diesel fumes from the smoke?
That’s all I thought of while I was there
The fumes make you sick not good for the lungs you people breath it every day.
Cloudsatsea
Launceston, Australia38 contributions
We really didn’t notice it, did you speak to staff while you were there?
dooda_11
Singapore, Singapore23 contributions
Hi we are planning to planning to visit in August and see that the start time is 5,30pm. What time will it end? We have a 2 year old toddler and are concerned it will go past her bed time.
rich s
London, UK246 contributions
We found that by the time the bus has dropped you at the site, visited the grounds, village, eaten a 3 course meal you will be unlily to leave before 10: it get quite cold so wrap up and wear sturdy shoes.