Adventures

Culture and History

Culture waitangi te pitowhenua in front of meeting house

Traditional Māori cultural performance (kapa haka) in front of Te Whare Rūnanga Meeting House, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Northland.

New Zealand's story is shaped by both Māori and European influences, creating a history that is distinct within the Pacific. Understanding that history provides context for the landscapes, communities and traditions encountered throughout the country.

Experiences may include visits to significant cultural and historic sites, time with Māori hosts, and opportunities to learn about the events and perspectives that have shaped modern New Zealand. These encounters are often personal, offering insight through conversation, storytelling, and local knowledge rather than simply presenting historical facts.

Port Nicholson, 1841. Now commonly known as Wellington Harbour. Home to the nation's capital.

Māori church, East Coast, North Island

The wero, a ceremonial challenge performed as part of a pōwhiri, is a traditional Māori ritual in which visitors’ peaceful intentions are tested before they are formally welcomed.

For many visitors, these experiences provide a deeper understanding of New Zealand and the people who call it home.

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