Duration1 houri
Start & End Time9:00 ami
Pick-Up & Drop-OffNot includedi
Minimum AgeAll ages
Languages9 availablei
MealsNot includediWhat's Included
- Get up to $10 cash back per person when you book with us!
- Day Pass to explore Te Puia, a must-see experience in Rotorua!
- Guided tours running hourly are available, or explore at your own leisure!
- The World-Famous Pohutu Geyser
- Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valle
- Kiwi House
- National Schools of Carving and Weaving
- Te Heketanga a Rangi (entrance)
- Rotowhio Marae
- Pikirangi Village
- Taonga Gallery and Gift Shop
What to Expect
Home to the world-renowned Pohutu geyser and New Zealand's Maori Arts and Crafts Insitute, Te Puia is one of Rotorua's top attractions and a must-do activity when in the area.
The best way to experience the park is on a day pass, which allows you to explore the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, get up close to New Zealand's native kiwi birds, and learn all about the Maori history and culture.
Geothermal Valley
The Whakarewarewa geothermal valley is a very special place; it is rich in cultural and spiritual history and has been home to the Te Arawa people for generations. The valley itself has huge geological significance - it is home to the world famous 30-metre Pohutu geyser, which erupts over 20 times every day, as well as hot springs, silica terraces, boiling sulphurous pools and bubbling mud pools.
The region has many stories just waiting to be shared with you - and during the tour, Maori guides will proudly recount stories handed down from their tipuna (ancestors) to help you connect with the majestic site and experience its awesome power.
Kiwi Birds
Te Whakarewarewa is home to many species of natives plants and birds. During the tour, guides will journey through each of these species and describe how the Maori's used these natural resources in their lives.
You will also have the opportunity to view live kiwi birds in their nocturnal kiwi house and learn all about New Zealand's national icon and the plight of this rare bird.
Maori Culture
Maori's love to showcase their vibrant culture through song and dance. Storytelling is in their blood, and everyone and everything has a story to tell. Even the architecture at the Valley has stories behind it - with Maori carvings and structures that hold deep cultural significance, for instance, the carved entranceway and the 'Rotowhio Marae' (the meeting place).
For over 50 years, students from tribes across New Zealand have assembled at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute located at Te Puia to learn time-honoured traditions in danger of being lost forever.
Guided Tours
Book a guided tour with one of Te Puia's friendly guides, or experience Te Puia at your ease. Guided tours run hourly starting from 9:00am, and highlights of the tour include:
Explore the Te Whakarewarewa 60 hectare Geothermal Valley and discover the famous Rotorua mud pools and numerous geothermal wonders, including the Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere.
See two iconic native New Zealand kiwi birds in the Kiwi House and Viewing Enclosure.
Experience traditional Maori weaving and carving before your eyes, including stone and bone carvings, wood carving and flax-weaving. Te Puia is one of the best places to experience traditional Maori practices as it is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute.
Learn about Maori Art & History at 'Te Heketanga a Rangi', which is the entrance to Te Puia. It has 12 monumental carvings, each representing celestial Maori guardians. Hear all about the past stories of the Maori settlements in Rotorua.
Receive a rare glimpse into how Maori people lived before the European settlement with a tour around a model pre-European Maori village, which includes two Maraes (sacred meeting houses).
Commemorate your day with a visit to the Taonga Gallery and Gift Shop by purchasing souvenirs, including Maori jewellery, carvings, and authentic treasures (taonga).
Operating Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm (Day pass can be redeemed at any time during these hours).
Tour Duration: 60-90 minutes, first tour is 9:00 am running hourly, with the last tour at 4:00 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The guides are experts at understanding Pohutu and will get you to the viewing platform at the perfect moment. Te Tohu geyser is also known as the “indicator” as it usually erupts just before Pohutu. You’ll also notice Pohutu spraying small amounts of water before she bursts into life.
Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley is stunning at any time of the day. Explore the Valley early in the morning as the sun pours over the hills, pop in at midday to make the most of our steambox lunch tour or witness Pohutu Geyser erupting into the sun set before dining on traditional Māori cuisine. The night experience of Te Pō is also stunning, with Pohutu Geyser illuminated by lights and a cup of hot chocolate in hand, it’s pretty magical.
The Rotorua City Ride offers a bus service from the Rotorua CBD to Te Puia (Rotorua route 2).
Te Puia is open in all weather. On a rainy day, come inside our Te Aronui-a-Rua Meeting house and experience a tradictional Māori welcome and concert. Step into the comfort of our Kiwi Nocturnal House followed by a tour of our carving and weaving schools. Surrounded by native bush, the tree canopies provide some rain cover throughout the Valley - just be sure to bring a jacket or umbrella.
Pohutu Café is the perfect place to stop and relax, with a delicious range of hot or cold meals, light snacks and refreshments including an authentic steambox hangi.
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The Te Puia day pass is NON REFUNDABLE once purchased
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