Māori Whakataū Welcome: An Authentic Connection to Indigenous Culture in New Zealand

Experience an authentic Māori Whakataū welcome in Wanaka and Queenstown. Connect deeply with New Zealand’s indigenous culture and people. Book your cultural journey today.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lake Wanaka - In Māori culture we hold two important aspects dear to us. the first being Manaakitanga (Hospitality) and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land) .At WanaHaka® we want you to connect with these 2 important cultural elements.

This Pōwhiri can be done in either Queenstown or Wanaka so please do email first as to your preferred location if required.

You will be greeted by a Wero/Challenge with a Māori Warrior and Taiaha, from here we move through the key elements of the pōwhiri/welcome where we may start as strangers but by the end we end up as whanaua/family.

A truely inspiring cultural experience that combines both the people and the land of Wanaka and Queenstown.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
What's Not Included
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Authentic Māori Bone Carving of your experience
  • WanaHaka Tea Towel Souvenir
Additional Information

The Whakataū, a Māori welcoming tradition, provides an introduction to New Zealand via its indigenous culture. This ceremony plays a significant role in creating a substantial bond with the nations inhabitants for visitors to New Zealand, especially in Wanaka and Queenstown. Undoubtedly, the landscapes contribute to the country’s attractiveness, but a genuine connection is formed when you get to know its people. Get a feel of this unique experience in Wanaka and Queenstown through WanaHaka®.

A minimum of 4 participants is required for each Whakataū. If this requirement is not fulfilled, alternatives such as rescheduling or a full refund will be provided.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
#ThatWanakaTree
Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(63 Ratings)
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Escape60988381842
Aug 5, 2024
A Memorable Haka Welcome in Queenstown - Joe welcomed our company into Queenstown with an amazing Haka welcome before we started our work conference. We all learnt so much about his culture and the meaning behind each Haka movement. He was engaging and funny, which was great to have a laugh with him! What an amazing experience, and would highly recommend & do it again. Thanks Joe :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside17492789780
Jul 23, 2024
School information session - Joe presented a really fun, factual and engaging Māori Cultural welcome for our school trip! Definitely recommend for other school groups looking to have a cultural experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
789layals
Jun 23, 2024
Great Māori Experience - Brilliant experience. Learnt so much in an entertaining and captivating way. Highly recommend Joe and the beautiful Wanaka.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philpratte
Mar 4, 2024
A must if you have a wedding or any other event in Queenstown - Joe welcomed our wedding guests (96 of them) on the dock before our sunset cruise. Everybody loved his presentation, it was the perfect way to kick off our destination wedding. Joe was very professional, easy to communicate with and has amazing passion and knowledge of Maori culture. He has an amazing scene of humor and was very accommodating. Would book him again when we are back. And we will definitely be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Williamd141
Feb 17, 2024
Just Wow. - Wow is all I need to say. Well informed, inspirational and funny. Really enjoyed the history lesson and personality. Highly recommend.
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Eniola_tamara
Jan 25, 2024
Deep and meaningful - Thank you Joe for all your hospitality, we learnt so much about the Māori culture. Your love for your culture shows through the passionate welcome, and we were blown away by the passionate Haku greeting in a beautiful setting by the ocean. You explain history and meaning in a relatable way to create memories to cherish a lifetime. Unforgettable experience!
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R4805ehbena
Oct 12, 2023
A fantastic experience for my students and staff - I recently planned a school snow tour from Queensland to Queenstown for 40 students and 4 staff and we were absolutely blessed to be given an introduction to Maori culture, language and Haka by Joe. I cannot speak highly enough of this incredible man. Joe took the time to guide my students through traditional welcomes, language, connection to land and stories as well as performing and breaking down several Hakas. If you are looking for an engaging, 100% authentic, 100% genuine, cultural experience for your students, Joe at WanaHaka is your guy. Thanks Joe, we will see you in 2024! Mā te wā
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearless46558829882
Aug 18, 2023
A great introduction to Maori culture! - Joe was fantastic to work with and taught us all a bit about Māori culture in a lighthearted and informative way. Such a great way to open our event. Thank you Joe!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adamgs4650pd
Aug 16, 2023
An amazing experience - An amazing experience to open our conference at Queenstown. Joe was easy and great to work with. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nzsth
Jul 30, 2023
Maori Welcome on Lake Wanaka - A wonderful cultural experience on the Wanaka lake front. A must for all travellers to New Zealand, to experience the customs and culture of the Maori people. Not only was Joe's presentation of the Haka moving, the fact that he broke each part down and translated his words into English, then explained why things were done, meant that our student group could gain a deeper understanding of the Maori culture. A trip to Wanaka would not be complete without experiencing a Maori welcome from Joe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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