Waka Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys Bay of Islands - New Zealand

NEW PRODUCT 2010 !!.....exclusive coach tour group Waka experience
Starting in season 2010 we are introducing a new Waka tour program aimed at providing an exclusive Maori cultural experience for individual tour groups visiting the Bay of Islands. Unlike other visitor activities in the Bay of Islands where competing tour groups are all herded together into one activity forming part of a larger audience, we can guarantee that individual tour groups will be the only participants during their exclusive interactive Waka voyage and Maori experience. What a fantastic point of difference!!

WAKA TOURS - TE HOENGA WAKA - HARURU FALLS
"The Bay of Islands" home of the Ngapuhi, New Zealand’s largest Maori tribal group. A rare and unique insight into the beauty of our ancient customs, rituals and traditions awaits you.

If you want to know the real facts about Maori culture then hands on, interactive and engaging participation is the only way you will ever really truly understand our unique and most ancient of Polynesian cultures. Join Taiamai Tours on our Waka voyage and we promise you will participate in a Maori cultural encounter of which memories will remain written in your heart for the rest of your life. Meet with tribal members of the local Ngapuhi tribe whose traditional knowledge and non scripted story telling skills are legendary in the Bay of Islands. Our ancient histories and stories overlay our beautiful landscapes and these we share willingly with you as you voyage with us aboard our traditional 50 ft Waka Taua (Maori war canoe) on the tidal river estuaries of the Waitangi. We cannot claim to have the best Maori guided tours and neither will we claim to be the most experienced Maori cultural tourism show and performance however we will!... confidently stand by our claim when we say that Taiamai Tours is “The best Maori cultural tourism experience!... in Northland”

Details:
This tour activity is an interactive and educational Waka (Traditional Maori war canoe) experience with customers learning traditional paddle techniques, Waka manoeuvres, chants and Haka whilst absorbing the breath taking natural beauty of the Waitangi river eco systems and native flora and fauna landscapes

The first leg of our voyage has our ornate waka gliding up the beautiful tidal estuaries of the Waitangi. In no time you will come to realize this activity is more than just a product, it is indeed an experience unlike any other in New Zealand. Engage in conversation with your Maori host who will share with you, personal tribal and family histories from an ancient past. With the splendour of panoramic views, vibrant and stunning colours from the native forest stretching the length of the river banks and beyond, the first leg of our voyage culminates with our arrival in the pool of the sacred and spiritual Haruru waterfalls. The magic of this place is brought to life by the skilful oratory of our story tellers who accompany you. Although it may seem like 5 minutes you have actually been on voyage for over an hour.

Again we take up the paddle and the voyage continues passing by our family Marae and sacred shrine of worship, nestled on the riverbank of the Waitangi. If fortune is with us we will meet with local tribal members at the Marae. We may even have time for a quick hello and some photo opportunities then we must continue our voyage. See the native bird and fish wildlife, or maybe stop by our fishing net and check to see if we have caught a fish? Practice you’re new found traditional Maori paddling skills, learn a haka all while engaging in meaningful unscripted discussion with your Warrior host’s. How quickly time flies and it has been 2 ½ -3 hours. Where did the time go you may ask? You will depart from us with indeed a deeper understanding of our culture and knowing that your journey with us has indeed been a Journey of Discovery, a Journey of Distinction.

Nau mai, haere mai, We welcome you!......

• Experience the power and spirituality of our Culture

• Exclusive participation in Ngapuhi tribal customs and traditions

• Exclusive photo opportunities throughout your voyage

• Avoid the hustle and bustle of 100s of other tourist

• View native bird and fish wild life

• Only 16 people maximum per Waka guarantees exclusivity

Departs
Twice daily from Waitangi / Paihia ( October – April ) Rally times are 9.45am and 12.45pm respectively.

• 10.00am departure

• 1.00pm departure

• Other times by arrangement only

BRING: Appropriate clothing as per weather conditions – Water bottle (optional) –Insect repellant – Sun block – Sunhat – sunglasses-Camera – soft sole footwear and a smile.

Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys, Maori Waka Tours, Bay of Islands Enquiry Form

Address:

Kerikeri
Bay of Islands

Phone: +64 9 405 9990

Fax:

Web: Visit website

RATES: Quoted in NZ$, Subject to Change

WAKA TOUR

• ADULT: NZ$135.00
  
• CHILD: $105.00nz children between the ages of 6yrs - 12yrs.
  
• Children under 6yrs not permitted on Waka.

Forward Bookings are preferred

Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys, Maori Waka Tours, Bay of Islands Enquiry Form