Te Waka is latest attraction

Tamaki Maori Village's Heke Tarei shows off the cultural attraction's new product - Te Waka. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's iconic tourist attraction Tamaki Maori Village has added another string to its bow as it heads towards 26 years in the industry.

The cultural attraction, based 20km south of Rotorua, has just launched its new product, Te Waka, which it says will ensure it maintains its position as a world leader in cultural tourism.

Te Waka sees a Maori war canoe carved by master carver Albert Te Pou from Te Puia added to the tourism experience.

Te Waka sits on a specially created waterway in the village that leads out to the welcome area and back into the interactive forest.

Lady Saifiti, the sales and marketing spokeswoman for Tamaki Maori Village, said Te Waka was an exciting addition that would enhance the overall village.

Te Waka was the brainchild of company directors and brothers Mike and Doug Tamaki.

She said it would become a significant feature of the interactive village.

"With each of our visitors, we will retrace the great story of migration, historical aspects and traditions that Maori associate with waka, or canoe."

The new product was launched last week with a blessing and opening ceremony.

Invited guests included the Destination Rotorua team, Rotorua Lakes Council members, members of Tumunui Lands Trust, travel agents, wholesalers, suppliers and members of the Tamaki whanau.

Ms Saifiti said the launch of Te Waka coincided with the attraction's 26 birthday but the Tamaki brothers were keen to launch before the summer season got under way as overseas visitor numbers were expected to grow. She said nowadays Tamaki Maori Village was more than just a hangi and concert, with overnight marae stays also part of the experience.

"Every day when you walk through we have guests here who are staying overnight. The operation is always moving forward because the boys (Mike and Doug Tamaki) are always at the drawing board to see how we can take it to the next level."