Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Overview

A trip to Aotearoa New Zealand would not be complete without an insight into the culture of the people who were here long before the British settlers arrived. The Ko Tane cultural experience will see you formally welcomed — the traditional Maori 'powhiri' (welcome) involves the pressing of noses between chief and visitor — and guided through the Maori 'pa' (village) with stories of how the Maori lived on the land before the arrival of the Europeans.

You will then be treated to a 45-minute kapa haka performance which includes poi dances, songs and weapon displays. Visitors are given an opportunity to learn the haka, a traditional war dance, which has gained global attention over the past 60 years when performed at sporting events. After you've worked up an appetite with all that dancing, enjoy a tasty four-course dinner where traditional hangi cuisine is mixed with contemporary flavours — it's delicious, to say the least. The 'poroporoaki' (farewell) ceremony will bring your culture-rich evening to an end.