Kai Ora Maori Hangi Experience

A cornerstone of Maori culture is the hangi - a traditional feast prepared in an earth oven. With the Kai Ora Maori Hangi Experience, you can learn first-hand how to prepare a hangi - from the heating of the volcanic rocks to the techniques that trap the steam, this practice is an art that has been honed over the course of centuries.

The experience takes place in Whakatane, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in New Zealand. Here, you can visit the homestead of a Maori family descended from some of the earliest Polynesian settlers. The site of the homestead is in the garden of Matirerau, historically important as the place where kumara seedlings were first grown, about 800 years ago.

The Hangi Experience lasts about four hours, and includes a visit to Te Koputu Gallery Alive Experience and a walk along the Awa Korero River while the food cooks.

At Te Koputu Gallery Alive, you will learn about the history and culture of the Maori who settled the area through ancestral stories told by the decedents of Maori chiefs.The Awa Korero River Walk will also teach you about the history of the area's Maori - your guide will tell you stories about the ancient burial cave and the waterfall used for traditional rituals.

After you've worked up an appetite, your group will return to the homestead for the feast. You'll be able to relax and experience a hangi, shared with a group, just the way it is meant to be.

Pricing:

Adults: $125 , Children (under 15): $60.

The price includes Te Koputu Gallery Alive Experience and Awa Korero River Walk Experience.

Bookings:

Please visit Kai Ora Maori Hangi Experience or phone 021 220 8015 for bookings and latest price information.