Waiheke Island Māori Culture, Art, Wine, Food

Waiheke Island Māori Culture, Art, Wine, Food
Da NZD NZ$ 790,00
  • Durata: 5 Ore (circa)
  • Luogo: Waiheke Island
  • Codice prodotto: MCT

Sacred Sites Tour with Paora - An Authentic Māori Cultural Experience on Waiheke Island

$790 per person – Including ferry tickets, lunch, wine tastings, and island transport

A Journey into Living History

Immerse yourself in the living traditions, stories and landscapes of Māori culture on Waiheke Island. Travel with our Māori ambassador, Paora, who shares his whakapapa (genealogy), personal stories and deep connection to the island. Visit sacred sites and a local village, hear powerful tales of land wars, resilience and present-day Māori life, and see how ancient customs sit alongside modern New Zealand.

Along the way, you’ll step inside a contemporary art studio to see how local artists respond to the land and culture through their work. Between stories and art, you’ll enjoy a relaxed day of kai (food), wine and waiata (song). Taste boutique Waiheke wines, and sit down to a seafront lunch with beautiful island views. This small-group experience is welcoming, conversational and respectful, giving you space to ask questions, connect with the people behind the culture and leave with a richer understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Your host, Paora, brings 35 years of deep connection to Waiheke Island and a lifetime of cultural wisdom to this unique experience. From his early years supporting Kato Kauwhata at Piritahi Marae to learning ancient wisdom from his Uncle and Tohunga, Paora’s understanding of Māori traditions runs deep. As a filmmaker and storyteller, he brings a special perspective to sharing the island’s magic with visitors.

A Day of Cultural Discovery

Morning Welcome (9:40 AM)
Begin your journey with a traditional karakia (blessing) at Matiatia Bay, where Paora will welcome you to Waiheke’s sacred shores.

Sacred Sites Tour (10:15 AM)
Embark on an enriching journey across the island, where each stop reveals layers of Māori history. Discover:

  • Ancient pō (carved posts) that tell stories of the past
  • Traditional medicinal plants and their uses
  • Sacred sites that have shaped the island’s history
  • The living connection between land, sea, and Māori culture

Wine Tasting at Batch Winery (11:00 AM)
Experience premium wines at Waiheke’s highest point, where panoramic views stretch across to Auckland City, Whangaparāoa, and The Coromandel. Here, tradition meets contemporary wine-making excellence.

Lunch Experience (12:00 PM)
Savour a memorable meal at the award-winning Three Seven Two restaurant or KiMaha, overlooking magnificent Onetangi Beach. As you dine, Paora will share stories of the area’s significance, including tales of the magnificent marine life that frequently visits these waters – from whales and orcas to dolphins and stingrays.

What’s Included

  • Guided cultural tour with expert Māori Cultural Ambassador
  • Ferry tickets 
  • Wine tasting at Batch Winery
  • Gourmet lunch at Three Seven Two or KiMaha (bread and dips, main course, beverage)
  • Island transport
  • Traditional welcome blessing
  • Stories of whakapapa (ancestry)
  • Insights into both historical and contemporary Māori life

Getting Here

Catch either the 9:15 AM Island Direct Ferry or the 9:00 AM Fullers Ferry from Auckland.