Topdeck Travel Blog

Topdeck’s sales manager Aaron popped down to New Zealand to find out what makes this little country the place to be.

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Aaron, Az to his friends, was sent to New Zealand with a mission - take in its most famous features including the unique culture, heart stopping adventure and breathtaking scenery and tell us all about it!

While there, Az had the chance to take part in one of Topdeck’s most loved exclusives – an overnight stay on a Maori marae.

As the original inhabitants of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Maori hold a special place in the country’s history and culture.

Az admits he had a limited, and possibly stereotypical, view of Maori culture to start with, but this all changed when he stepped foot on Taheke Marae in Rotorua.

Taheke Marae in Rotorua

“I thought it would be touristy, but instead found a vibrant, working marae full of everyday people living as one big family from little children to elders of the tribe,” he says.

The Ngati Hinerangi people, a Hapu (sub-tribe) of the Te Arawa tribe, have opened their doors to Topdeck travellers giving them the chance to learn about and experience Maori culture first hand.

First, they were giving the traditional welcome onto the land which involves both groups greeting each other with a waiata (song) and finally hongi (pressing noses).

“Now we are cousins and can come back whenever we like,” says Az

One of the highlights for Az was getting taught the history and story behind the famous haka. He was even shown a few moves by one of the tribe’s haka experts!

Az testing out his new haka moves

Az says it was impossible to fault the tribe’s hospitality.

Just when the group were settling in for their evening meal there was a black out across all of Rotorua.

But it was going to take more than a power cut to stop these hosts from feeding their hungry guests.

In a flash, the chefs were off to their homes and in no time were back on the marae with gas BBQs and cookers cooking up a storm.

After dinner, the evening was spent with the tribal elders, sharing stories and asking questions.

“I have a new respect for these people. It was a life changing experience.”

*Come back next week as Az checks out the more adventurous and scenic side of New Zealand*

Book any northbound New Zealand trip before that is 10 days or longer and departs between 01/01/2012 - 31/03/2012 and get 20% off with Topdeck’s NZ is the New Black promotion. (offer ends 30 November 2011)