7 Meaningful Ways to Engage with Māori Culture in New Zealand

Celebrating Indigenous culture in New Zealand means honoring the nation itself, which has deeply embraced its heritage, evident in the use of both English (New Zealand) and Māori (Aotearoa) place names to acknowledge the tangata whenua, the Indigenous Polynesians who arrived on these shores by ocean canoe over 700 years ago.

It is customary for greetings and farewells to be expressed in te reo Māori (the Māori language): When you arrive with Air New Zealand, you will be greeted with a Kia ora; emails may conclude with Ngā mihi nui to convey “thank you very much” or “kind regards.” The tourism options, whether owned by Māori or created in their honor, are wonderfully diverse throughout both the North and South Islands.

We understand that Dinogo readers are looking for genuine connections to places and people. They desire to authentically interact with Indigenous cultures, hear their stories, and view the world from their perspective. Therefore, we consulted with locals and representatives from various New Zealand tourism boards—and even explored some experiences ourselves—to uncover seven exceptional ways to immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural beauty of Aotearoa, from haka performances to waka hourua voyages, as well as the finest Indigenous dining experience in the Southern Hemisphere.

North Island

1. The Haka Experience

For many, the first encounter with Māori culture happens through rugby. The All Blacks, New Zealand’s most successful international rugby team, have brought the haka—a ceremonial Māori war dance or challenge—into the spotlight during global broadcasts. Millions have experienced the team's ritual chants, stomping, arm slapping, and tongue wagging, which reflect a version of the dance that has its roots in the late 1800s. To delve deeper into the history of the haka and New Zealand rugby, check out the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, which opened in 2020.

There are several ways to experience the haka in and around Auckland: The Auckland War Memorial Museum offers two Māori cultural performances daily, with visitors encouraged to stay afterward to engage with the performers. For theater enthusiasts, check the website of Hawaiki TŪ for ticket information; their performances, which often tour New Zealand, blend kapa haka, theatrical elements, and AV projections for a contemporary interpretation. (The term “kapa haka” refers to Māori performing arts, where “kapa” means to form a line, and “haka” refers to dance. Kapa haka combines song, dance, and chanting in an emotional and powerful way.)

2. Embark on a waka hourua

It is thought that the first settlers of Aotearoa navigated the Pacific Ocean in robust double-hulled, double-masted voyaging canoes known as waka hourua. While massive cruise ships carrying up to 6,500 passengers now dock in Auckland, the art of waka hourua sailing and navigation saw a revival in the 2000s, largely due to the efforts of Te Toki Voyaging Trust. The leaders of Te Toki studied under one of the region's renowned ocean navigators, Papa Mau of Satawal, Micronesia, before his passing in 2010, and they have been guiding new generations in traditional seMytouring, marine, and environmental science. Visitors can now book anything from a brief one-hour sail to an extended multi-day voyage aboard a waka, departing from Auckland and Kawhia, located about two and a half hours southwest of Auckland.

3. Reserve a table at Hiakai

Hiakai restaurant in Wellington originated as a pop-up in 2016, where chef Monique Fiso crafted dishes that honored her Māori and Samoan heritage, showcasing the skills she developed while working in New York City. "We emphasize the research and presentation of [Indigenous] ingredients in creative and innovative ways," states the Hiakai team. The restaurant has garnered attention in numerous publications, including Time magazine and World’s 50 Best, for its unforgettable dishes, such as a vichyssoise made from local potatoes paired with mussel ice cream, or kumara (sweet potato) gnocchi served with a huhu grub sauce. Fiso and her co-founder, Katie Monteith, also uphold a zero-waste philosophy and are dedicated to foraging for wild kai (local ingredients). Enthusiasts can further their culinary journey with Fiso’s Hiakai cookbook, which delves into Māori food culture, traditional ingredients, and recipes.

South Island

4. Connect with the locals in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) through Āmiki Tours

Few hosts welcome travelers quite like Riwai Grace and his wife Cate, who run Āmiki Tours in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). Their tours are deeply intertwined with community values and the Māori principle of manaakitanga, which signifies generous hospitality. Riwai possesses a natural talent for storytelling, a skill honed during his years managing pubs in the UK, and he has a deep appreciation for his home, having served for 20 years with Fire and Emergency Services New Zealand. Together with Cate and their team, he leads visitors on 75-minute cultural walks through Christchurch, sharing creation stories and pointing out the sites where ancestors first arrived at the riverbanks, as well as offering longer guided kai (food) tours that take you to his favorite local spots.

5. Hike through Fiordland National Park along the Hollyford Track

Fiordland National Park boasts some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world (though I must admit I haven’t seen everywhere yet). Within this glacier-carved World Heritage site, you'll find multi-day hikes like the iconic Milford and Routeburn tracks, cherished by both locals and visitors. The Hollyford Track stands out as the only significant route that offers a gentler ascent, meandering through the Hollyford Valley, filled with ancient beech forests and 1,000-year-old giant rimu trees, flowing past waterfalls and leading down to Martins Bay.

Embark on a “tramping” (trekking) adventure with the guided Hollyford Wilderness Experience, which is operated by Ngāi Tahu Tourism, the original guardians of the land. According to a 2023 review of the hike, “Every experience is framed through the beliefs and values of the Ngāi Tahu people, and [our guide] sets the mood with a karakia, a Māori incantation that encourages us to pause, appreciate, and come together in our purpose on this land today.”

6. Experience Stargazing through a Māori Perspective in Tākāpo

In collaboration with Ngāi Tahu Tourism, the Dark Sky Project, located along the Takapō lakefront within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, offers an insightful look into Māori astronomy. Not only do these experiences take place in one of the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserves, but they also include daytime activities—perfect for families with children who can't stay up late. The indoor Dark Sky Experience provides a 45-minute astronomy lesson that melds scientific concepts like the Big Bang with Māori storytelling. For those seeking adventure, stargazing from the summit of Mount John or visiting a private observatory to view the Milky Way is also available.

7. Support Small Māori Enterprises

• Shop now: whariki.co.nz

Whariki is a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering Māori entrepreneurs and professionals by fostering connections and celebrations. Essentially, it serves as a fantastic directory for Māori-owned businesses, showcasing unique gift ideas ranging from home decor and health products to clothing, art, food, and children's items. I may have lost track of time while exploring options like Kawakawa Balms, chilli pata (a zesty hemp seed spread), and Rua Huia feather necklaces.