Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience

Te Puia’s Te Rā Guided Experience takes you on a 90-minute tour through one of New Zealand’s most remarkable geothermal landscapes. You’ll start by visiting the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, home to the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, which can erupt up to 30 meters high. The valley is dotted with boiling mud pools, and your guide will explain the geothermal wonders of the area.

Next, step into the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you’ll see master carvers and weavers at work. Learn about the skills passed down through generations as you witness intricate wood, bone, and greenstone carvings in progress. You’ll also get an up-close look at flax weaving and the traditional techniques used to create everyday Māori items.

During the tour, you’ll visit a kiwi conservation center, where the rare and nocturnal national bird of New Zealand is protected. Cameras are not allowed, so this moment will stay in your memory, rather than on your phone.

Your experience concludes with a visit to a marae, a traditional Māori meeting house, and a guided exploration of the village.

Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience

Discover the wonders of New Zealand’s geothermal landscape on this guided tour that includes a visit to Te Puia, home to the country's largest active geyser Pohutu, which erupts up to 20 times daily shooting water as high as 30 meters into the air. Explore the renowned Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where skilled artisans create intricate wood carvings and delicate woven art, a must-see for anyone interested in traditional crafts. The tour also features the Kiwi Conservation Centre, offering up-close encounters with New Zealand’s iconic bird, with conservation efforts dating back to 1980 when the center was established. This full-day experience covers approximately 3 kilometers of walking paths and includes live Haka performances or a traditional Hangi buffet dinner for deeper cultural immersion. The tour is available in multiple languages including English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and Thai. It caters to all ages with wheelchair access at select sites and lasts around 6 hours.

Explore Te Puia’s Geothermal Wonders

Your tour stops at Te Puia where guests can marvel at the geothermal landscape that covers over 100 acres, featuring an array of hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and steaming vents. Established in 1967 as a cultural reserve, it offers insights into the Māori culture’s deep connection to nature. The Pohutu Geyser, erupting up to 20 times daily with water shooting as high as 30 meters, is a highlight of any visit here. Additionally, visitors can explore the Te Puia Sculpture Park and its collection of over 500 sculptures, each telling a unique story about New Zealand’s heritage. Spend around two hours exploring this site where you will learn about the conservation efforts to protect these natural wonders from human impact. Unlike other parks that focus solely on geothermal features, Te Puia integrates cultural education with nature appreciation, making it essential for understanding the symbiotic relationship between Māori traditions and the environment.

Witness Skilled Artisans at Work in the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute

Your tour proceeds to the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where guests can observe skilled artisans creating intricate wood carvings, delicate woven art such as piupiu skirts made from flax fibers, and other traditional crafts. Established in 1967, this institute covers an area of about 25,000 square feet dedicated to preserving Māori cultural heritage through hands-on workshops and demonstrations. Visitors spend approximately one hour here learning about the techniques used in crafting these items, which are integral to Māori ceremonial attire and everyday life. Unlike other museums that showcase artifacts without live demonstrations, this institute provides a dynamic experience where visitors can interact with artists and learn about their creative processes directly from them.

Admire New Zealand’s Iconic Kiwi Bird at the Conservation Centre

Your tour continues to the Kiwi Conservation Centre where guests have the unique opportunity to see New Zealand’s iconic bird up close. Established in 1980, this center covers an area of about 5 acres dedicated to kiwi conservation efforts and education programs. Visitors spend around one hour here learning about ongoing conservation initiatives aimed at protecting these flightless birds from threats such as habitat loss and predation by introduced species like stoats and cats. Unlike other wildlife parks that focus on a variety of animals, this center specializes in the protection and study of kiwi birds, making it crucial for understanding their ecological importance.

Tour Highlights

• Guided tour through Te Puia’s geothermal wonders
• Visit to Māori Arts and Crafts Institute with live demonstrations
• Encounter New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird up close at the conservation center
• Live Haka performance included in select tours
• Traditional Hangi buffet dinner option available for cultural immersion
• Wheelchair access provided at select sites throughout Te Puia
• Audio guide available in multiple languages including English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and Thai
• Walking paths covering approximately 3 kilometers through the geothermal landscape

Perfect for travelers interested in cultural immersion, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs, this full-day guided tour provides an enriching experience through visits to Te Puia, Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, and Kiwi Conservation Centre. The six-hour format allows you to explore Pohutu Geyser’s eruptions, witness artisans at work in the crafts institute, and observe kiwis up close at the conservation center, giving you a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand's geothermal landscape and cultural heritage while enjoying unique features such as live performances and traditional meals.