Authentic Māori Cultural Experience in Taupō.

Experience real Māori culture in Taupō through haka, storytelling, and traditional practices shared by our people. This is not a staged tourist performance — it is a genuine cultural exchange where you are welcomed, guided, and connected to who we are as Māori.

Looking for an authentic Māori cultural experience in Taupō? Learn more here.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai

Manaakitanga
The Māori value of hospitality, care, and connection — at the heart of everything we offer.

We welcome you onto our space to share, learn, and connect through a genuine cultural experience grounded in tikanga Māori.

Experience powerful haka, waiata (song), and storytelling as we share the stories of our people, our mountains, our lakes, and our rivers. Each moment offers a deeper understanding of Māori identity, heritage, and connection to the land.

A personal, authentic experience designed to connect you with Māori culture in a meaningful way.

Experiences offered by The Haka Shop

  • Evening Māori Cultural Experience & Hangi Dinner in Taupō

    Be welcomed onto our whenua with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), before gathering as your hāngi is lifted from the earth — prepared with care by our whānau using this time-honoured method of cooking.

    Share a meal that brings people together, then experience powerful haka, waiata (song), and storytelling that reflect who we are — our identity, our history, and our connection to the land.

    When we perform, it is genuine and heartfelt. You won’t just watch — you will feel the ihi (energy and presence) of our people.

    A meaningful cultural experience that connects, educates, and stays with you long after the evening ends.

    6pm- 8.30pm. Bookings essential

    $215 per person

  • Traditional Māori Weaving Workshop in Taupō

    Discover the art of raranga (Māori weaving) in a hands-on cultural workshop that connects you to tradition, creativity, and the natural world.

    Learn about harakeke (New Zealand flax), a treasured resource used for generations for food gathering, clothing, and everyday life. You will be guided through the tikanga (cultural protocols) of harvesting and working with this taonga with care and respect.

    During this 3-hour workshop, you will create your own kete (basket) to take home — a meaningful reminder of your connection to Māori culture and traditional skills.

    A hands-on cultural experience grounded in knowledge, tradition, and connection.

    3 hours from $160 per person

  • Māori Cultural Walk to Huka Falls, Taupō

    Walk this iconic Aotearoa location with local Māori guide Snow, who grew up in this area and holds a deep connection to the land and waterways.

    Along the way, Snow shares traditional knowledge, local history, and cultural perspectives that bring the landscape to life — including the meaning behind Huka, stories of the Waikato River, and the significance of this place.

    The experience may include a karakia (traditional prayer/chant), offering a moment to pause, reflect, and connect with the environment in a uniquely Māori way.

    This is more than a walk. It is an opportunity to see, understand, and experience the land through a Māori lens.

    A guided cultural experience that connects people, place, and story in a meaningful way.

    Guided Walks by booking only.

    1.5 hours from $160 per person

  • Pōwhiri & Māori Cultural Performances for Events and Conferences – Taupō

    A pōwhiri is the traditional Māori welcome, grounded in tikanga and the formal process of receiving manuhiri onto our whenua. As tangata whenua, The Haka Shop Taupō is honoured to welcome your delegates, speakers, and guests.

    Our pōwhiri and cultural performances do more than open an event — they set the tone. Through authentic expression, storytelling, and performance, we create an atmosphere that is welcoming, engaging, and memorable.

    When we perform, we bring genuine presence and ihi — connecting people to place, purpose, and each other. Each experience is delivered with professionalism and tailored to suit your event, audience, and venue.

    We are available to travel and work alongside organisers to ensure a seamless and culturally appropriate experience.

    Enquire now to arrange a pōwhiri or Māori cultural performance for your next event.

  • Māori Tutoring and Kākahu (Traditional Dress)

    The Haka Shop supports kapa haka groups, schools, and tutors with custom kākahu (traditional dress), performance resources, and cultural guidance.

    All kākahu are made by hand, with care and attention to detail, alongside the provision of traditional materials such as muka for weaving.

    Tutoring support and resources are available to strengthen cultural knowledge and performance.

    Enquiries welcome for projects and custom orders.

What makes us special is our philosophy to interact & relate with you on a local level that you will enjoy!

We will not leave things to chance; like a war party, you will be challenged, intimidated and eventually welcomed into the bosom of our culture. In a short space of time, your senses will be stretched and excited by our dynamic energy.

“The Haka Shop is everything involved with “haka” nga mahi a Tāne-rore, being the traditional culture of the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand.”

  • A Genuine Hangi Performance

    We were served a delicious Māori meal and treated to a wonderful performance of Māori dancing and singing. The performers were very engaging.

    -Eve

  • Not to be missed Māori experience

    “An amazing experience! Everything from living history to show to dinner. “Snow” is a Māori force of nature that is not to be missed. He also gave a guided tour of Huka falls.”

    -Reese

  • Just Amazing and Beautiful

    Absolutely amazing experience, especially if you’re Māori and don’t know much about your culture as it is such an eye-opening, breathtaking time. I have no choice but to learn more about my culture now and learn more about the beautiful stories, songs and history that come with it. I would definitely come back again just too see the performance itself as Snow, Dinny and their family did a wonderful job. Overall I loved my time there and thought it was too good to even put into words !

    -Jayden

  • Exceptional

    Ok, this is going to sound like a paid advertisement as I’m about to gush here. My hubby & I, 2 kids & a friend were unable to make the Hangi last night but were offered a luncheon option. Gosh, where to begin… First was a lovely traditional welcome into their residence with Dinny, Snow & their niece including a song . Dinny then walked us through the garden showing us botanical ingredients that will be used in our meals. The food was next level delicious cooked by Dinny & they were really receptive to a multitude of questions we asked re their culture & home life. They walked us through their history, beautiful carvings & surrounding tribes/family & communities. Snow showed us the traditional Haka after a discussion about rugby and the All Blacks. They brought out guitars & serenaded us with traditional songs (& boy can they sing! Especially their Niece) Nothing seemed an imposition to them & they were incredibly warm, lovely, and accommodating. We were also shown a weapons display & technique which illustrated how incredibly uncoordinated I am 😂😂 I can’t sing their praises more highly as it was an exceptional experience & they made us feel like we were part of their family ❤️🥰 oh and a final mention regarding the food once again~ Dinny is a Goddess in the kitchen!

    -Laura

  • The Best Māori Experience in NZ

    Don't miss this experience in Taupo! Everything about this experience was fantastic. We went there are part of our Backroads trip and were welcomed with open arms. Snow, the tribe leader, and his wife did a fantastic job of teaching us the Maori culture and letting us immerse in it. We saw the traditional cooking method, ate the delicious, spectacular, exceptional food (can't say that enough), and experienced a Haka show. We were all so engrossed and wanted to soak it up and learn more. Thank you Snow and family for an unforgettable experience!!!

    -Denise