Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 26 - Maori culture

Experience Maori culture in Rotorua

Maori culture is quintessentially Rotorua, so it was obvious that experiencing a hangi and show appeared in our Essential 50 list.

It's likely that many of our readers will have experienced this in traditional settings, but if you are new to New Zealand, or have never been exposed to Maori culture, then there are plenty of opportunities to experience this.

My first hangi experience was in Scotland, strange but true, as part of the Scottish branch of the New Zealand Society. To combine the two cultures they organised a ceilidh (Scottish dance) and a hangi just outside of Perth.

I remember being amazed at how such a means of cooking could produce such delicious food - and promptly piled my plate high.

If you've not experienced a hangi Rotorua is the place to give it a whirl.

There are many cultural tourism attractions in and around the city which are not only for our international visitors. Mitai Maori Village, Tamaki Maori Village and Te Puia's Te Po experience all provide a traditional hangi and cultural performance.

Many of the large chain hotels also offer a hangi and show to guests and walk-ins. Among them are the Distinction Hotel, Millennium Hotel, Novotel and Sudima. They all use local performers so you can be sure of an authentic cultural experience.

The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences thanks to reader nominations. We'll be highlighting one every day over summer.