“TEWHAKAREWARAWATANGAOTEOPETAUAAWAHIAO"

Nope, this isn't a typo! This is the official name of the Living Māori Village in Rotorua. The people here are a truly authentic, living tribe who open their doors to the public, offering guided tours to showcase their day to day live.

The village is located directly beside the town of Rotorua - often called "Sulphur City" or "Stinky Town" due to the many thermal craters and geothermal activity in the area.

The people of Whakarewarewa showed us how they cook their food using natural thermal vents, how they bath in communal mineral pools, and how they honor their traditions surrounding death. They also performed a “Haka”, a powerful and traditional ceremonial dance. Interestingly, the Māori also played a significant role in WWI (as part of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion).
It is a deeply fascinating and still very traditional culture.Read more