About our People and Land

Our Hospitality

Manaakitanga

[pronounced ma-na-kee-tung-a]

Manaakitanga, loosely translates to hospitality and this plays a key role in Māori life, as well as inspires the New Zealand visitor experience. Manaakitanga is a way of showcasing our world-famous hospitality to travellers and visitors, ensuring they are made to feel welcome when visiting our shores. At its heart Manaakitanga reflects the need for mutual hospitality and respect between different people, groups and cultures.

Here at Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, we open our home to visitors from all corners of the world and we have displayed this hospitality for hundreds of years. We take great pride and privilege in our hosting responsibilities, particularly as we were the first Maori tourism business in New Zealand. Today, as we continue the legacy of our ancestors, we believe that it is the spirit of manaakitanga that makes a visit to our home, Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, so uniquely special.

When you visit us, you are visiting both a home and an organisation that is owned by the tangata whenua – the people of the place. Accordingly, for us, manaakitanga means we care for our customers as our own whanau. You’ll find our team welcoming, kind and accommodating. Ultimately we want our visitors to depart with an experience that’s like any other, one filled with memories of intrigue, joy and wonder.

We invite you to come to Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village and experience manaakitanga – our legendary hospitality.

Kia ora.