🌿 Te Puia Māori Cultural Village: Heart of Rotorua’s Heritage

📍 Location: 20 Hemo Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010 Why Visit? Rotorua is a hub of Māori culture, and Te Puia offers an immersive deep dive! From steaming geysers to rare kiwi birds, it’s a must-see. 🔥 Top Attractions & Experiences 1️⃣ Pōhutu Geyser 🌊 The largest active geyser in NZ! Erupts up to 20x daily (30m high). Even bigger than Wai-O-Tapu’s! 2️⃣ Kiwi Bird Conservation 🐦 Spot the endangered brown kiwi in a nocturnal house (they’re shy!). A rare chance to see NZ’s national icon up close. 3️⃣ Māori Cultural Performance 💃🔥 Haka war dances, poi dances, and traditional songs. The energy is electric! (Included in ticket.) 4️⃣ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute 🎨 Watch students carve pounamu (jade) and weave flax into baskets. You can even buy authentic souvenirs! 💰 Tickets & Tips Adult Ticket (w/ performance): $135 NZD Family Passes available (cheaper for kids). Pro Tip: Book online to skip queues! ⏰ Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:00 PM). ✨ Extra Highlights ✔ Hāngi Feast Add-On 🍖 Try traditional Māori food cooked in underground geothermal steam! (Pre-booking needed.) ✔ Guided Tours 🗣️ Māori guides share ancestral stories—way more meaningful than exploring alone! ✔ Night Tours (Seasonal) 🌙 Geysers + cultural shows under the stars—magical! 🚗 How to Get There? 5-min drive from Rotorua city center. Free parking on-site. 📸 Best Photo Spots 📌 In front of Pōhutu Geyser (steamy backdrop!). 📌 Kiwi House (low-light, no flash allowed). 📌 Carving workshops (action shots of artists at work). #MāoriCulture #RotoruaMustDo #NZTravel 🌏✨