As New Zealand is known for its Maori culture, visiting a village should be on your list of must-dos in New Zealand. There are two different kind of villages you can visit, firstly a living village like Whakarewarewa where the Maori people still live. Or a village like Tamaki Maori Village which shows you how the Maori lived in the past, pre-European settlement, both of these villages can be found in Rotorua (known as New Zealands Maori Culture Capital).

Four of us participated in a volunteer programme called MAD @ Whaka. (Making A Difference @ Whaka). Part of this volunteer programme included a visit to Tamaki Maori Village. Because we had been working in the living village of Whakarewarewa where we learned a lot about the modern Maori, I was excited to go to Tamaki and see how they lived years ago.

Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua

The experience already started in the 15 minutes waka (waka: transport) trip to the village from Rotorua. Our driver Sonny explained to us a bit about the village and taught us a few words in Maori. During our bus trip we had to choose a chief for our group for the evening, it turned out to be Remy from The Netherlands. Before we could enter the village we received a Powhiri. A Powhiri is a formal welcome. The chiefs had to complete a wero (challenge). A warrior from the tangata whenua (the host village) will challenge the manuhiri (the guests). The chiefs are given an offer, a token of peace, which they could accept or deny; accepting meant we could enter the village, denying would mean we would be at war.

Our head chief accepted the offer and they greeted each other in the Maori way; a hongi. This sign of acceptance meant we could all enter the village. It was a very impressive welcoming as we were not allowed to talk, laugh or move which gives it a very serious feeling to it.

The village is set up in the forest with Maori whare (houses). In front of these houses Maori people were showing cultural aspects and activities; wood carving, tattooing, performing the poi and showing how they kept their food safe and how they lived. It was a great way to see how they lived and to ask questions about what they are doing. The people are very nice and open and love to tell you about their culture.

Following this experience we moved on to the hangi pit. A hangi is a real traditional Maori dish, it is cooked in the ground. We were shown how they lift a hangi with a short explanation on how and why they make a hangi.

After the lifting of the hangi we moved into the wharenui (the meeting house) where they performed a cultural show including songs, speeches, dances and of course the haka. One of the songs is the famous love song of a couple in Rotorua who were not allowed to be with each other because of cultural differences but the woman swims to the island in Lake Rotorua and the loved ones are together again.

"..the show was just amazing..."

You hear people talking about cultural shows saying that it is fake or unreal, but I have to say: ‘no, sorry, you’re wrong’. This is how they live and have lived, this is their culture and the show was just amazing it gives you that feeling  that you want to know more and more about the Maori culture. I have also had some experiences with cultural shows from different cultures in different countries all over the world. I have to say that the Maori cultural shows (I have seen two shows now) are shows to remember, they feel real and I really believe them, I can't say that for most of the other cultural shows I have seen.

Following the show it is time to enjoy your hangi. As you have seen the lifting of the hangi from the pit it is now all finished and ready to eat in a buffet setting. The hangi included: carrots, potatoes, chicken, lamb, stuffing, white fish, salads, and typical Maori desserts. As part of the Maori Village we received a farewell from the drivers and personnel of Tamaki. The Chiefs performed the haka together with the personnel and everyone was escorted back to the buses for a trip back to Rotorua.

A traditional activity on the bus back is all guests will sing a song, this goes per nation. For example I had to sing a song with all the other Dutch people and I have to give extra credit to Diana, the only person from Bulgaria who did sing a song on her own! Finally I would like to say that if you are in Rotorua, please go and visit Tamaki Maori Village. It is a great night out and you really learn about the culture. I personally really liked the Powhiri (welcome), the cultural show and the hangi meal where we got to talk to the Maori people.

Useful links:

• Kiwi paka Backpackers Rotorua
• MAD @ Whaka - Volunteer & Conservation programme
• Whakarewarewa Village - read more about Whakarewarewa living village
• Rotorua Destination Guide

About the Author: Paula is a Dutch University Student currently undertaking an internship at Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel.

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