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Discover Rotorua in depth with Contiki

haka demonstration at a Marae in New Zealand Photo: Contiki

New Zealand is absolutely stunning, there’s no doubt about that, but perhaps more impressive than the natural beauty is the cultural beauty of the country. Thankfully, the northern region of Rotorua covers both, offering travellers a chance to experience some truly marvellous views while getting to know and connect with Māori people.

Indigenous to New Zealand, Māori people are warm and welcoming, and our newest Real New Zealand trip offers travellers the chance to spend 2 nights on a Marae, partaking in Māori culture and traditions on an immersive level – a really special opportunity most people don’t get. We caught up with Richie, our New Zealand Operations Manager who is also of Māori of descent, and we asked him about the significance of these 2 days at the Marae and what travellers will get to experience in Rotorua.

Hey Richie! Could you please start off by explaining what a Marae is?

“A Marae is a complex for a community, and they’re generally associated with the Iwi or Hapū (tribes or sub-tribes). Each tribe has a Marae of their own, and the Marae itself consists of many different buildings.”

“So, for example, you’d have a wharenui (meeting house) where generally formal processions take place. A feature of the wharenuis is the carvings which hold a lot of significance and tell the stories of ancestors and the tribe. Then there’s also a wharekai (cooking house), where people go to eat and the community can all gather there.”

“There are many Marae all over New Zealand. Personally, my Marae is about five minutes from where I live, so I’m never too far from my community.”

Marae in New Zealand

Image source:Contiki

And why is being welcomed onto a Marae, as a non-Māori person, such a big deal?

“Being welcomed onto a Marae is not something you get to do every day, even if you live in New Zealand. Generally, unless you’re Māori or it’s a special occasion such as a funeral, you won’t get to visit one. The only way to be accepted onto a Marae is to go through a formal welcoming process, known as a pōwhiri.”

“There are certain Marae in New Zealand which have been built specifically so that tourists can go see them. One of them, for example, is in Waitangi which is our national grounds and it’s a place of significance, so one has been built there so people can participate and see what happens there.”

“On this trip, we will be welcomed into the Marae and travellers will get to experience the pōwhiri to be acknowledged and learn about the culture. Then, it’s customary to eat. You sit down and you eat together – breaking bread and sharing food together is one of the oldest ways of sharing cultures and getting to know people all over the world, so doing this at the Marae is a form of acknowledgment and acceptance.”

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Is there anything travellers should keep in mind when visiting the Marae to ensure they don’t accidentally offend?

“I guess that’s the beauty of going on a Contiki because you’re equipped with a Trip Manager who has very deep cultural knowledge. They’ll give travellers a few guidelines before visiting, and if there’s anything specific to flag they’ll flag it. Travellers shouldn’t be afraid to ask their Trip Manager questions either.”

“Always keep an open mind and be respectful. While visiting the Marae, you’ll also be taught many things like traditional greetings, etc., so as long as you’re attentive and make an effort you won’t be doing anything wrong.”

Marae in New Zealand

Image source:Contiki

How long is the stay in the Marae?

“We stay two nights, which is a great amount of time to really immerse yourself in the culture, participate in a lot of activities, and also admire beautiful Rotorua.”

“Staying at a Marae is not something that many travel companies can offer because it is such a special occasion, but even those companies that do offer Marae stays only do so for one night. So, you don’t get the full experience the same way you would on Real New Zealand.”

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What will travellers get to do at the Marae?

“They’ll get really involved with the culture! We get to have a hāngī which is a traditional dinner, we’ll get to see a haka that has been specifically composed for Contiki, we’ll get to learn about the traditional carvings and what they mean, we’ll get to learn about pounamu and carve our own, and we get to learn some Māori words as well. We’ll also be touring the village and getting to know the history of it.”

“That’s what I’m most excited about, personally. I grew up not knowing the meaning behind certain traditions, and I didn’t know how to speak the Māori language, but I went on an education journey as an adult and now I see the beauty and significance behind everything. I want travellers to experience that discovery too, and see the beauty as well.”

“There’s a lot to do and see and take in, so having the 2 nights will be a really great time to just soak it all in and enjoy. You’ll really get a deeper understanding and appreciation of Māori culture.”

carving pounamu in New Zealand

Image source:Contiki

Why do you think it’s so important for travellers to connect with Indigenous cultures around the world?

“I think if you connect with Indigenous people of the places you’re visiting and connect with their values it just makes you a better person. Indigenous people of any nation view the world through a different lens, and unless you’ve grown up as an Indigenous person, these are perspectives you may not have, so you can really learn and grow from these meetings.”

“Most Indigenous people have deep connections with their ancestors and with the land. The history is passed down on a really deep level, so if you want to get to know a country and learn about its history, you should really get to know the Indigenous people.”

“For New Zealand specifically it’s also what makes the country so special and unique. People call it the best place for adventures, but you can bungee jump off a bridge or skydive in a lot of other places in the world. If you want to meet Māori people you can only do that here.”

“All of the above is what I want for our travellers: I want them to experience real culture and connections and take away something really positive and beautiful from it.”

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