Te Arawa, the tribe which hosts the Duke and Duchess of Sussex today, says the couple's
choice to visit Rotorua is of huge cultural significance to Māori.
Sir Toby Curtis, spokesman for Te Arawa, says the visit allows the tribe to extend its manaakitanga (respect/generosity/care) to the royal couple, and with the resulting global interest, allows the world to experience the unique hospitality and warmth of the tribe.
The royal couple and Te Arawa have many things in common, says Curtis.
"Māori place huge importance on their connection to the environment, specifically our land - this is also viewed as connected to our people. Toi tu te whenua. Toi tu te tangata. Land is people and people are the land. The duke and duchess' environmental and conservation interests tell us a lot about the type of people they are, they care about people."
Te Arawa has many conservation projects in Rotorua including Te Puia's Kiwi House, the conservation of geothermal phenomenon and the conservation of Māori arts and culture through protective legislation and the National Schools of Māori Arts & Crafts in New Zealand.