Nov 17, 2024
Extraordinary evening with wonderful new friends - We did the Kai Safari Food Tour and had the most amazing evening touring with Riwai, our fabulous guide. We were a small group of just 2 couples, who came together as strangers and left as friends. Food, wine and conversation flowed freely, led by Riwai and joyously continued by us all.
The local Māori stories told with such pride and heart by Riwai about his people were inspiring. He is a born storyteller, whose passion and heart for his people is there for all to see and admire. However it is his warmth towards all people, no matter their nationality or persuasion which shines the brightest. He’s wonderfully inclusive, kind and big-hearted, characteristics which were on full display all evening, no matter whom he was talking to or interacting with.
On the food side, we ate extremely well and Riwai tweaked our venues on the night, to offer our little group the best possible experience. Working on the fly for the benefit of his guests is clearly something he excels at. The hospitality of our host was generous and we were encouraged to choose our own drinks while Riwai gave us his recommendations for the best shared food plates to fill happy tummies. As a non-drinker I didn’t miss out, with plenty of non-alcoholic beverage choices on offer. The Kawakawa tea at our first venue was absolutely phenomenal.
Kai Safari Food Tour is more than a meal, it is an opportunity to connect with a culture and hear about some of its proud history while enjoying delicious food and wine. All the while enjoying time spent with new friends and a truly wonderful, gracious host. Highly recommended.
No food pics, coz I don’t want to spoil the surprises 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 11, 2024
Christchurch Food Tour - The food was great, but the guide was even better! Rowan was incredibly knowledgeable, generous, and fun to spend time with!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 23, 2024
Gracious welcoming tour sharing local insights to Christchurch history and culture. - I am so glad I booked this tour. Riwai made me feel welcome and shared so much history about Christchurch and his own experiences. It was educational, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. I was already enjoying Christchurch but learning about the city’s rebuild after the earthquakes from a local perspective helped me better appreciate the city and what they’ve done.
It was the perfect combination of history, culture and food shared by a gracious tour host. 100% would recommend.
P.S. I am also appreciative as a solo traveler that they honor the reservation/tour even if only one person books.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 13, 2024
The best cultural tour of Ōtautahi Christchurch - A fantastic experience with our guide Ash, starting with a beautiful Māori welcome and hope that we ended our journey as friends. Ash is a lovely, insightful and gracious storyteller taking us to culturally meaningful spots
throughout the city. I loved her genuineness through our ‘journey’ and the balance of stories she shared. A big hug at the end of what felt like too short a time. Thanks Ash!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 23, 2024
Food, Fun, Facts - A great walking foodie tour today with the delightful Ash. It was my privilege to learn so much about both Ash’s culture and the history and culture of Christchurch. Thank gosh there was a fair bit of walking as we ate some scrumptious food along the way. Learning how Christchurch has rebuilt following the earthquake was so interesting. Putting Community and Culture first and seeing that in action. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. I loved every minute. Thank you Ash
Review provided by Viator
Apr 10, 2024
Excellent cultural perspectives - We had a great experience with Riwai. His passionate storytelling about Christchurch and the various cultural significances sprinkled throughout the city were invaluable. We appreciated the openness exhibited throughout our tour and pointers to local cafes and restaurents. It never felt like a tour and we enjoyed learning a lot about the assimilation of local native culture in mainstream society.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 3, 2024
A wonderful tour with an enthusiastic guide - I loved learning how Christchurch is re-building after listening to all voices concerned. Riwai pointed out all of the included artwork, celebrating Maori and English culture added to the city and provided an excellent lunch.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 3, 2024
Exceptional Guide - Wonderful host who led us on an interesting tour which included a burst of all we needed to know about the history, culture and politics of Christchurch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 3, 2024
More than a history lesson - We appreciated the personalised tour that Riwai offered us, the way he sought to make connections with us and the storytelling that fleshed out the places we visited. The walking was easy, relaxed, and it was lovely to have the experience of people in the street greeting our guide. Made it feel like a real local was sharing his place with us. This was a great tour to start our visit to Christchurch. Everything we did after that built on it so thanks for that great foundation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 2, 2024
Great experience! - An amazing experience learning more about Maori culture and the cooperative re-building of a city after such the earthquake catastrophe. I also appreciated that my vegetarian diet choice was respected at a truly lovely lunch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor