Authentic Māori Marae Stays & Cultural Immersion Experiences

Experience Te Ao Māori Through Connection, Culture & Community

Step beyond traditional tourism and experience the heart of Māori culture through an authentic marae stay.

Our Māori-led immersion experiences invite you to live, learn, and connect within a marae environment — the cultural and spiritual centre of Māori communities. Through shared meals, storytelling, cultural workshops, and meaningful interaction with local hosts, you'll gain a genuine understanding of te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and the values that continue to guide Māori life today.

Whether you're seeking a short cultural introduction or a transformative multi-day experience, our programmes provide opportunities to build connections, deepen understanding, and experience the true spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality).

These are not performances for tourists. They are authentic cultural exchanges that create lasting memories, meaningful relationships, and a deeper connection to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why Stay on a Marae?

A marae is much more than a place to sleep.

It is a living cultural space where traditions are practiced, stories are shared, and communities come together. Staying on a marae offers a rare opportunity to experience Māori culture from within, learning directly from local hosts and cultural practitioners.

During your stay, you may experience:

• Traditional Māori welcomes (Pōwhiri or Whakatau)
• Māori storytelling and ancestral histories
• Waiata (song) and haka
• Shared meals and cultural hospitality
• Hands-on cultural workshops
• Guided walks and connections to the local landscape
• Māori values, customs, and protocols
• Opportunities for reflection, learning, and genuine cultural exchange

Tūhono One-Night Cultural Immersion

An Authentic Introduction to Māori Culture

Perfect for travellers looking for a meaningful cultural experience within a shorter timeframe.

This overnight marae stay provides an authentic introduction to Māori culture, values, and traditions through storytelling, shared kai, and interactive cultural engagement.

Guests are welcomed by local hosts and spend the evening learning about the history, customs, and significance of the local area before sharing a meal and spending the night within a hosted cultural environment.

Experience Includes

• Traditional Māori welcome
• Introduction to tikanga Māori and local history
• Interactive cultural activities
• Waiata and haka experiences
• Storytelling and cultural discussions
• Shared dinner and breakfast
• Overnight marae accommodation
• Morning reflection and cultural engagement session

Ideal For

• First-time visitors to New Zealand
• Cultural introductions
• Educational groups
• Cruise passengers and short itineraries
• Travellers wanting an authentic overnight experience

350 pp

Tūhono Two-Night Cultural Immersion

Deeper Learning, Stronger Connections

Our two-night experience allows guests to move beyond introduction and into genuine cultural engagement.

With additional time for workshops, storytelling, and exploration, participants develop stronger connections with both hosts and fellow travellers while gaining deeper insights into Māori culture and traditions.

The extended format allows for hands-on participation and a more meaningful understanding of te ao Māori.

Experience Includes

Everything in the One-Night Programme, plus:

• Extended cultural workshops
• Harakeke (flax) weaving
• Poi making
• Guided cultural hīkoi (walk)
• Connection to local landscapes and history
• Additional storytelling and knowledge-sharing sessions
• Evening reflection and group connection
• Two nights marae accommodation
• All meals during the programme

Ideal For

• International visitors
• School and university groups
• Indigenous exchange programmes
• Corporate and leadership groups
• Travellers seeking deeper cultural understanding

700 pp

Tūhono Three-Night Wānanga Experience

A Transformative Māori Cultural Journey

Our flagship immersion experience offers the deepest level of cultural engagement available through Tūhono Exchange.

Over three nights, participants become part of a living learning environment where culture, wellbeing, connection, and personal growth are woven together through a traditional wānanga-style experience.

This journey allows time to build genuine relationships, participate in meaningful cultural practice, and develop a deeper understanding of Māori values, identity, and worldview.

Participants leave not only with new knowledge, but with lasting connections and a renewed appreciation for Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Experience Includes

Everything in the Two-Night Programme, plus:

• Extended wānanga sessions
• Advanced cultural workshops
• Māori wellbeing and holistic health practices
• Connection to whenua (land) and environment
• Guided cultural landscape exploration
• Reflection and mindfulness activities
• Creative cultural expression workshops
• Closing poroporoaki (farewell ceremony)
• Three nights marae accommodation
• All meals throughout the programme

Ideal For

• Indigenous cultural exchanges
• Leadership development programmes
• International educational groups
• Cultural study tours
• Organisations seeking meaningful Indigenous engagement
• Travellers seeking a life-changing experience

1,050 pp

Authentic. Māori-Led. Transformational.

Every Tūhono Exchange immersion experience is led by Māori hosts and cultural practitioners who share their knowledge, stories, and traditions in a respectful and authentic way.

By participating, you are also supporting Māori communities, cultural preservation, and the continuation of traditional knowledge for future generations.

Enquire Today

Whether you're an individual traveller, school group, university, corporate organisation, or international delegation, we can tailor a marae immersion experience to suit your needs.

Come as a visitor.

Leave as part of the story.