Experience a day filled with excitement, culture, and connection as you explore Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Encounter our national treasure, the kiwi, and immerse yourself in Māori culture. Discover awe-inspiring geysers, bubbling mud, and lush native bush during our guided Te Rā experience. Get up close to Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the kiwi in a specially designed nocturnal enclosure at the Kiwi Conservation Centre, dedicated to preserving this iconic bird. Dive deeper into Māori heritage at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where students hone traditional skills in weaving, wood, stone and bone carving. Our wānanga (school) serves as a beacon for indigenous culture. Our knowledgeable kaiārahi (guides) will share their Māori traditions and heritage with you, passing down ancestral stories and insights along the way. Te Rā guided experience has a duration of 90 minutes.

In the heart of Rotorua's city centre, just a short walk from the must-see Government Gardens, our artists are absorbed in their craft, passionately hand-carving New Zealand pounamu with love and dedication. They invite you to come and discover the stories behind their carvings and step inside our studio for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience. You’ll get up close to the action and spend unforgettable one-on-one time with our artists, learning about the jade carving process and watching live carving demonstrations. As you embark on a journey into the rich history of pounamu, you’ll discover fascinating insights into the cultural significance of the stone and its traditional uses and values. To top it all off, you will choose your very own piece of pounamu and learn how to string it into a necklace to take home and treasure forever. Available at 10.00 am, daily. Infant ages are 0-2 years.