Say Kia Ora To Christchurch And Beyond With These Māori experiences
There’s no need to spend hours in a museum or library getting to know New Zealand’s Māori culture and heritage. You’ll gain a deeper insight by venturing into The Central South Island’s rugged mountain ranges and sparkling coastlines, talking to real people sharing real stories.
Paddle on a traditional waka, learn about Māori astronomy or discover 600-year-old rock drawings. No matter how you do it, now’s the time to explore these Māori experiences!
Dark Sky Project, Mackenzie
When Māori look up into the night sky, they see more than just stars – they see a roadmap that marked places, predicted weather patterns and determined food sources. Embark on an interactive tour inside Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Project, and discover how astronomy helped Māori connect with their ancestors and understand the universe.
Waka On Avon, Christchurch
Travel 180 years back in time as you paddle along the Ōtākaro Avon River in a hand-crafted waka. As told by Waka on Avon, you’ll hear stories of how the boats were used for transport and trade, and how they worked alongside European settlers to build the city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art, Timaru
Discover New Zealand’s first artworks with descendants of the people who carved and painted them hundreds of years ago. Join local Ngāi Tahu guides as you tour Te Ana, an immersive cultural centre that has one of the country’s most significant collections of ancient Māori rock art! The walls and ceilings of Canterbury’s limestone caves provided the perfect medium for rock art due to its smooth, pale surfaces.
Kaikōura Art Trail
Heading to Kaikōura? Take a break at a safe stopping area along State Highway 1’s beautiful coastline and marvel at more than 20 culturally significant artworks telling the story of the seaside town you’re about to visit. Expect vapour-blasted murals, pouwhenua and tekoteko (carved pillars), laser cut steel art and information panels representing Kaikōura’s unique connection to the area.
Āmiki Tours, Christchurch
An Āmiki Tour combines Christchurch’s Māori and early settler heritage with some of the city’s most delicious local fare. In between courses, your passionate guides will take you to Ōtautahi’s iconic landmarks and hidden historical gems, while weaving in the stories of their ancestors who settled here from the very beginning. You’ll also learn basic te reo Māori along the way!
Māori Rock Drawings at Weka Pass Historic Reserve, Hurunui
A 40-minute walk from Waikari township into Weka Pass Historic Reserve will lead you to a limestone shelter used by Māori between 600 to 1000 years ago! The large, overhanging shelter served as a temporary campsite, while its walls turned into a canvas for Māori staying overnight. Using charcoal from their fires and kōkōwai (red ochre), they drew human figures and animals which you can still see on the rock walls today.
