Please reach us at bookings@kohutapulodge.co.nz if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We provide guided cultural and historic tours of Ngāti Manawa Tribal lands, including visits to historic sites and places of significance. These tours are appropriate for groups and individual travellers and allow guests the opportunity to ask any questions they have, and gain a greater understanding of what life was like pre-European arrival, post-European arrival and how we are holding on to our culture in an ever-changing, modern world.
Yes, all of our tours are guided.
Our tours range from 2 – 6 hours, dependant on which package you book.
No – you do not have to stay at Kohutapu Lodge to do a tour. We even offer complimentary return transport from Rotorua for our guided cultural walking tour in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane with Whirinaki Forest Footsteps.
No – we do not provide a cultural performance at Kohutapu Lodge with the hangi buffet dinner. We share our backstory and have storytelling after dinner. We will teach you all about the haka in our workshops, and you will learn who composed the haka, what it means, the correct pronunciation, actions, words and meanings of words and then put it all together. We will perform the haka with you, but we do not provide a show with dinner.
Absolutely – please just let us know your dietary requirements or allergies before you arrive, and we will cater to your needs.
No – we are not a five star lodge or a Top 10 Holiday Park. We are a cultural tourism experience first and foremost, with accommodation available for guests who wish to stay with us. Our accommodation is simple, an unpretentious and offers homely comforts.
We are not a big operation. Our group sizes can range from 2 – 40 people.
No. Hangi is our traditional style of cooking in the ground that is communal/for larger groups or gatherings. We cannot cook a hangi for less than 10 people. If you are staying the night with us and you have a meal included in your package, and there is no hangi being cooked, we will prepare a 2 course, home cooked meal, with food we have most likely hunted, gathered or grown ourselves.
We are a small family business that is located remotely – out of the main centres, and off the beaten track. Our experiences are based on real life and are designed to allow intimate engagement, conversations and transformative experiences. If you are interested in meeting people, having conversations, learning about our history, culture and way of life in a gentle, relaxed and authentic way – this is the experience for you. If you are interested in cultural performances, singing, dancing or shows, there are plenty of other amazing cultural tourism experiences in bigger centres who are able to offer that experience for you.
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Bedding and linen is provided, please bring your own towels, or you can hire from us at $5 per towel.
Yes - we provide a guided cultural walking tour in a Native Rainforest, including packed picnic lunch and hot Kawakawa tea.