Culturally enlightening with the best, most helpful staff - I came around 15 years ago and was stoked to see all the work the crew has put into restoration since then, as well as the (re?)introduction of mandatory cultural guides for the village areas - having navigated these areas previously unguided, this is a positive addition that adds the cultural insight and personal touch that I feel was sorely missed when floundering about on my own. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, in particular with regards to flexibility when one member of our family was experiencing some anxiety. I was so impressed and grateful for their care.

Authentic family experience - This was our second visit to the village. The children requested a return visit and it was well worth it. We loved the cultural performance then we participated in a tour of the village and Geysers. We had a brilliant young female tour guide. Highlights always the cooked corn on the cob and the erupting Geysers. More authentic than the over marketed Te Puia next door.

10/10 Experience - AMAZING PERFORMANCE AND VILLAGE. IT IS A MUST VISIT 😁 STAFF WERE FANTASTIC, ACCESSIBLE CAFE AND GIFT SHOP. CLOSE TO MAIN TOWN!

Fabulous! - Fabulous experience! We did the All day pass, worth every cent, friendly staff, awesome guide and the cultural performance was beautiful, actually a moving moment for us.

Do it! - An amazing experience, such a beautiful culture with welcoming people. Would do this again for sure !

Loved it - This was a short glimpse into the performance side of the maori culture! With a conch shell, a karanga (woman whaling), a waiata, and also rakau sticks (a game with sticks), the haka, poi etc!!

Like being welcomed back to a long lost home. - We had the most amazing and interesting time visiting Whakarewarewa. We saw the cultural performance by the incredible villagers and had a guided tour by one of them afterwards. The culture and history of this place is incredibly deep and fascinating and the people there are so keen to show us their way of life. They have such a deep connection to the natural world and an amazing sense of family and community, from sharing their naturally geothermal kitchens with each other and bathing in the clear waters of the hot water springs. They even made food for us to eat from the thermal kitchens themselves! There are volcanic Geysers that can be seen from the village too and they were all shooting high up into the sky, very much a sight to behold. The performance itself is great being interactive, I even got to go up in stage myself and participate in the traditional welcome to the village. They sang us songs and performed a Haka for us. The magic in these performances can only truly be felt by being there. A must do visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the Māori culture and about how their way of life has been shaped by the natural world. Thank you for sharing your village with us!

A good experience for... - A good experience for anyone wishing to have some basic understanding of Māori traditional culture. The team gave a great performance- it would be good to get to know them more.

Beautiful authentic experience! - We booked the Cultural Performance. At the friendly reception we were informed that we are welcome to take part in the village tour after the performance. The performance was first presented and explained very nicely. She was very impressive and emotional. The tour of the village was very interesting and exciting. The Waimaria guide showed us their village impressively and with passion. We were also allowed to taste corn cooked in a hot natural pool. Highly recommended!

Truly authentic experience - We had a wonderful visit to the Living Māori Village in Rotorua. The cultural show was captivating and offered a meaningful insight into Māori dances and customs, beautifully showcasing their rich heritage. Our guide, Philip, was informative and engaging, which made the experience even more memorable. Walking around the village, where people still live, gave us a genuine and authentic glimpse into daily Māori life—far beyond a typical tourist attraction. It felt like a true cultural immersion, and we highly recommend it to anyone wanting to understand Māori traditions and community life firsthand.