our CULTURAL PACKAGES

Departing from Kohutapu Lodge, learn about Ngāti Manawa tribal history as you visit:

• Lake Aniwaniwa domain and waterfall, Ngāti Manawa tribal boundary. Learn about taniwha (creatures who protect our waterways). Hear the story of the native long fin tuna, and what our people do to ensure its survival.
• The first battle site of Tangiharuru and the Marangaranga people. Learn how this ancestor secured the tribal boundaries of this landlocked tribe.
• Tawhiuau, our sacred mountain. Enjoy a short walk to the foothills and gather Kawakawa (traditional Medicine plants).
• Township of Murupara. Learn the history of our once thriving forestry community.
• Kaingaroa Forest (the largest man-made forest in the Southern Hemisphere) and visit Te Ana a Tokowaru – the oldest Māori Rock Carvings in New Zealand, carbon dated 400 years before the Great Migration 
• Kopuriki Road back to Kohutapu Lodge. Learn more about the many sacred sites you pass along the way.

At Kohutapu Lodge, enjoy an afternoon of interactive activities, including:

• Mau Rakau (Traditional Māori Stick Games) 
• Haka (learn all about haka, the meaning of haka, and how to perform “Ka Mate”)
• Harakeke Weaving (Native Flax)

Departing from Kohutapu Lodge, learn about Ngāti Manawa tribal history as you visit:

• Lake Aniwaniwa domain and waterfall, Ngāti Manawa tribal boundary. Learn about taniwha (creatures who protect our waterways). Hear the story of the native long fin tuna, and what our people do to ensure its survival.
• The first battle site of Tangiharuru and the Marangaranga people. Learn how this ancestor secured the tribal boundaries of this landlocked tribe.
• Tawhiuau, our sacred mountain. Enjoy a short walk to the foothills and gather Kawakawa (traditional Medicine plants).
• Township of Murupara. Learn the history of our once thriving forestry community.
• Kaingaroa Forest (the largest man-made forest in the Southern Hemisphere) and visit Te Ana a Tokowaru – the oldest Māori Rock Carvings in New Zealand, carbon dated 400 years before the Great Migration. 
• Kopuriki Road back to Kohutapu Lodge. Learn more about the many sacred sites you pass along the way.

At Kohutapu Lodge, enjoy an afternoon of interactive activities, including:

• Mau Rakau (Traditional Māori Stick Games) 
• Haka (learn all about haka, the meaning of haka, and how to perform “Ka Mate”)
• Harakeke Weaving (Native Flax)

Dinner

• 10 people or more. Traditional ground-cooked hangi buffet feast and dessert.
• Less than 10 people. Home-cooked, two course plated meal. Hosting over dinner and storytelling after dinner. Learn about the community ‘give-back’ part to our business and how you contribute.

Accommodation

• Lodge cabin room with communal bathrooms, lounge and kitchen facilities.

Please advise if you wish to upgrade to self-contained cottage. Pricing/confirmation will be given on request.

Breakfast

• Continental Breakfast including cereals, toasts, fruit and yoghurt.

Departing from Kohutapu Lodge, learn about Ngāti Manawa tribal history as you visit:

• Lake Aniwaniwa domain and waterfall, Ngāti Manawa tribal boundary. Learn about taniwha (creatures who protect our waterways). Hear the story of the native long fin tuna, and what our people do to ensure its survival.
• The first battle site of Tangiharuru and the Marangaranga people. Learn how this ancestor secured the tribal boundaries of this landlocked tribe.
• Tawhiuau, our sacred mountain. Enjoy a short walk to the foothills and gather Kawakawa (traditional Medicine plants).
• Township of Murupara. Learn the history of our once thriving forestry community.
• Kaingaroa Forest (the largest man-made forest in the Southern Hemisphere) and visit Te Ana a Tokowaru – the oldest Māori Rock Carvings in New Zealand, carbon dated 400 years before the Great Migration. 
• Kopuriki Road back to Kohutapu Lodge. Learn more about the many sacred sites you pass along the way.

At Kohutapu Lodge, enjoy an afternoon of interactive activities, including:

• Mau Rakau (Traditional Māori Stick Games) 
• Haka (learn all about haka, the meaning of haka, and how to perform “Ka Mate”)
• Harakeke Weaving (Native Flax)

Dinner

• 10 people or more. Traditional ground-cooked hangi buffet feast and dessert.
• Less than 10 people. Home-cooked, two course plated meal. Hosting over dinner and storytelling after dinner. Learn about the community ‘give-back’ part to our business and how you contribute.

Accommodation

• Lodge cabin room with communal bathrooms, lounge and kitchen facilities.

Please advise if you wish to upgrade to self-contained cottage. Pricing/confirmation will be given on request.

Breakfast

• Continental Breakfast including cereals, toasts, fruit and yoghurt.

Depart for Whirinaki Forest Footsteps at Te Pua a Tane Rainforest

• Here our guides will welcome you in to the ngahere (forest). This is done by way of mihi whakatau and karakia. Your cultural guided walking journey begins. Meet our Rakau Rangatira (chiefly trees). Follow our Rongoa trail (Medicine plant trail) as you learn to identify medicinal plants and learn about their many uses. Hear, and hopefully see, our native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Hear the history of Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane, and how Māori revered the forest for its beauty, spiritual presence, bountiful supply of food, medicine, building and weaving materials. Learn whakatauki (proverbs) and experience Forest Bathing – the art of connecting to the natural healing vibrations of the forest through a meditative state, that includes traditional wind instruments, karakia and ancient chant. Your tour concludes with packed picnic lunch and hot Kawakawa tea, as you enjoy a time of reflection with your guide, and an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about anything.

8.30am

Pick up with Whirinaki Forest Footsteps bus at Rotorua iSite. Depart for Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane with guided commentary en route.

9.30am

Arrive in to Murupara, meet your forest guides who will provide a welcome in to Ngati Manawa Tribal lands, before boarding the bus and continuing storytelling en route to the rainforest.

10.30am

Arrive at Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane. Here our guides will welcome you in to the ngahere (forest). This is done by way of mihi whakatau and karakia. Your cultural guided walking journey begins. Meet our Rakau Rangatira (chiefly trees). Follow our Rongoa trail (Medicine plant trail) as you learn to identify medicinal plants and learn about their many uses. Hear, and hopefully see, our native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Hear the history of Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane, and how Māori revered the forest for its beauty, spiritual presence, bountiful supply of food, medicine, building and weaving materials. Learn whakatauki (proverbs) and experience Forest Bathing – the art of connecting to the natural healing vibrations of the forest through a meditative state, that includes traditional wind instruments, karakia and ancient chant. 

Your tour concludes with packed picnic lunch and hot Kawakawa tea, as you enjoy a time of reflection with your guide, and an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about anything.

1.30pm

Depart Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane for Rotorua

2.15pm

Stop at Te Ana a Tokowaru, hidden Maori Rock carvings carbon dated to 400 years before the Great Migration.

2.45pm

Depart Te Ana a Tokowaru for Rotorua

3.30pm

Drop off at Rotorua iSite

8.15am

Pick up with Whirinaki Forest Footsteps bus at Wai Ariki Spa, Rotorua. Depart for Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane with guided commentary en route.

9.30am

Arrive in to Murupara, meet your forest guides who will provide a welcome in to Ngati Manawa Tribal lands, before boarding the bus and continuing storytelling en route to the rainforest

10.30am

Arrive at Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane. Here our guides will welcome you in to the ngahere (forest). This is done by way of mihi whakatau and karakia. Your cultural guided walking journey begins. Meet our Rakau Rangatira (chiefly trees). Follow our Rongoa trail (Medicine plant trail) as you learn to identify medicinal plants and learn about their many uses. Hear, and hopefully see, our native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Hear the history of Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane, and how Māori revered the forest for its beauty, spiritual presence, bountiful supply of food, medicine, building and weaving materials. Learn whakatauki (proverbs) and experience Forest Bathing – the art of connecting to the natural healing vibrations of the forest through a meditative state, that includes traditional wind instruments, karakia and ancient chant. 

Your tour concludes with packed picnic lunch and hot Kawakawa tea, as you enjoy a time of reflection with your guide, and an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about anything.

1.30pm

Depart Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane for Rotorua

2.15pm

Stop at Te Ana a Tokowaru, hidden Maori Rock carvings carbon dated to 400 years before the Great Migration.

2.45pm

Depart Te Ana a Tokowaru for Rotorua

3.30pm

Drop off at Wai Ariki Spa. You will be welcomed in by a host and will hear the commentary of the history of spa in Rotorua, and how our ancestors have been harnessing these healing muds and waters for centuries. Begin your Restorative Spa Journey, which includes: Waterfall experience, Hot geothermal spa, Steam room, Geothermal muds and more. Your mind, body and soul will thank you after spending a day of immersive, traditional cultural healing and wellbeing, set amongst the natural wonders of our world.

5.30pm

Prepare to depart Wai Ariki Spa.