Between 15 January 2025 and 27 January 2025 and Between 12 April 2025 and 28 April 2025.
Essential upgrade work will be taking place on the Auckland network to prepare for the City Rail Link to open in 2026. The tracks between Auckland Strand Railway Station and Hamilton are closed for train travel for this portion of the line while the Rail Network Rebuild work takes place.
We are very pleased to advise that the Northern Explorer service will go ahead as planned however the first 2.5 hours portion of your journey will be replaced by bus.
The bus will follow the standard timetable:
· Auckland departure at 7.45am
· Papakura departure at 8.35am
· Hamilton arrival at 10.10am
The transfer bus will meet the Northern Explorer train at Hamilton Railway Station. The train will depart Hamilton at 10.15am and continue travelling to Wellington following the standard train timetable.
An unforgettable 4 hour Maori Culture experience starting at 6.15pm
Journey to an authentic Maori village nestled in Rotorua forest and be formally welcomed into the sacred grounds, where amidst crackling village fires you will discover Maori art forms, ancient rituals and Maori traditions.
Share in thrilling song and dance, and then enjoy a 3 course Maori-fusion feast with your Maori hosts.
Prices include:
4 hour Maori Cultural Experience - New Zealand’s best and most award-winning!
Buffet dinner feast
Free transport to and from your Rotorua accommodation
TRADITIONAL
Your Te Pa Tu coach will pick you up from your Rotorua Accommodation. As you make your way to the village you will learn of the Maori migration, protocols when entering another village and a chief is selected to represent your tribe. Share in the Powhiri; our ancient ceremony of welcome before you are invited into a pre-European Maori Village nestled within a native Tawa forest.
INTERACTIVE
Enter a living village, as it comes alive with the sights, sounds and activity of days gone by.
See, touch, take time and talk to our people as you wander through our village- you will be invited to participate in stick games, warrior training, learn the poi and we will also teach you how to perform the fearsome haka!
At the heart of the village, enter ancestral Meeting House and relax as our family entertains you with a powerful cultural performance including action songs, short and long poi, weaponry displays, stick games and the world famous "haka" - Maori War Dance.
FEASTING
The sharing of food is an important part of the Maori custom - so we now invite you to join the Maori-fusion feast, followed by our New Zealand dessert.
The evening draws to an end with the Poroporoaki - the official closing ceremony.
There will be waiata (songs) and whaikorero (speeches), before you are safely transferred back to your Rotorua accommodation.
Children aged 5-15 years.
