Get ready for an unforgettable cultural journey as you step into the heart of Māori heritage and tradition. This experience gives you the rare opportunity to connect with the tangata whenua (people of the land) in a way that’s both authentic and deeply moving. While en-route to a local Marae, a sacred meeting place, your guide will describe Māori history, culture and the proper protocol to be able to enter the Marae. You will appoint a chief from your group who will speak on its behalf upon arrival to the village. The Māori will invite you to join them after a welcoming "Hongi"(touching of noses) and partake in their cultural activities. Whether it's your first time engaging with Māori culture or you’re looking to go deeper, this visit to a living Marae is more than a tour—it’s an invitation to learn, connect, and be welcomed as manuhiri (a respected guest) in a place where the past and present meet.