Mr Manga, a huge fan of Marin's movies, asked for a photo with him.
The star posted on his Facebook page a photo with Mr Manga and fellow performer Aaron Hepi doing a pukana and wrote: "Hangin with my Maori homeboys in Rotorua."
"He was everything I expected," Mr Manga said.
"He was a really jokey sort of person, we were just all so overwhelmed he was there, he was a really lovely chap, so humble and so loving of our culture.
"I think he was humbled he was recognised, I don't think he knew how much New Zealanders love and support his movies.
"He said he loved the show, really enjoyed it. We shared the hongi with him and he asked us about its significance. We thought we were children in a lolly shop but he was just as enthusiastic.
"It was a real privilege to meet him, when you watched all these movies and laughed so much, and he comes across like just a pretty funny fulla. We've had the privilege to meet quite a few famous people and stars ... for me personally Cheech is at the top."
Mr Hepi, a fellow cultural performer and supervisor of Te Roopu Tauwhiro kapa haka group, said they caught up with Marin just as he was about to take the guided tour.
"He was really down to earth, I've watched all his movies, listened to all his albums. It was just awesome," Mr Hepi said.
"For the rest of the day and that night and the next night I was just smiling ... We were just overwhelmed to meet the man, and asked as many questions as we could."
Te Puia marketing manager Eruera West said they loved hosting such characters.
"Particularly international guests who come to Te Puia to truly experience living Maori culture," he said.
"Through our core value of manaakitanga (hosting), we welcome guests into our whanau and share with them the stories handed down by our ancestors."
