Whakarewarewa: Māori Cultural Performance with Dancing
About This Experience
The cheapest way into Rotorua Māori culture, and an honest one: a 30-minute live performance at Whakarewarewa, with no dinner and no village tour attached.
Performers work through traditional waiata, the poi dance, stick games and the haka. It is staged for visitors, but it is staged by the village that lives on the site rather than by a touring company.
Book it when the evening dinner shows are sold out, when you are travelling on a tight budget, or when you want to add a performance to a Whakarewarewa village tour you have already booked.
Highlights
- Live 30-minute performance of waiata, poi and haka
- Performed by the living village, on the village's own site
- The lowest-priced Māori cultural experience in Rotorua
- Pairs directly with the Whakarewarewa village guided tour
What's Included
- ✓ 30-minute cultural performance
- ✓ Host and check-in at the admissions building
Not Included
- Village guided tour and other village activities
- Any meal — no hāngī is served with this ticket
- Transport
What to Bring
- Your booking voucher for exchange at admissions
- A warm layer if you are staying on in the village afterwards
Good to Know & Caveats
- Runs approximately 30 minutes — performance only
- Check in at the admissions building before the start time
- Village entry and the guided tour are separate tickets
- Photography is generally welcome; follow your host's guidance
Not Suitable For
- Visitors who want a hāngī dinner or a full evening experience
Meeting Point
Whakarewarewa — The Living Māori Village, Rotorua. Check in at the admissions building to collect your tickets.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 222 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Very interesting and enjoyable performance. They do a couple of hakas and sing traditional songs, and it's really very good.
— Álvaro, May 29,
You get so incredibly close to the real Maori village. The dance and song performance made a great impression.
— Angelie, April 1
The staff at Whakarewarewa were unfailingly courteous and helpful on our arrival. The show itself was surprisingly and enjoyably light-hearted as well as being an informative insight into some aspects of Māori story-telling and other customs and was enormously enjoyable. Thank you to all at Whakarewarewa for allowing us to share it with you.
— Neil, March 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dinner included with the cultural performance?
No. This is a 30-minute performance only. Every Rotorua experience that includes a hāngī meal — Mitai, Te Pā Tū and Te Puia's Te Pō — is an evening ticket at a considerably higher price.
Does the ticket include the Whakarewarewa village tour?
No. Village admission and the guided village tour are booked separately; many visitors pair the two on the same visit.
Is the haka performed?
Yes. The 30 minutes cover waiata, the poi dance, stick games and the haka.
How far ahead should I book?
Performances run to a fixed daily schedule and the room is small, so book ahead in the December-to-February peak. Outside peak season a day or two is usually enough.
Is it worth it if I am already doing an evening hāngī show?
Probably not — the evening experiences all include a longer performance. This ticket exists for visitors who are not doing one.
