Embrace Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with the Treasures of Tāmaki

On my own te reo Māori journey, I have found my life enriched in countless ways. Although I am Māori, I did not grow up speaking the language.

As an adult, learning te reo has opened my world. My understanding of our history, our whenua (land), and who we are as a nation has deepened. Te reo connects me to my ancestors and to the land I stand upon. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). While there are many ways to celebrate, te reo Māori is an everyday language, one we can speak and honour every day of the year.

Embracing te reo Māori is more than learning new words. It is about immersing yourself in every part of te ao Māori or the Māori world. This can include learning the stories and history of the whenua (land), the maunga (mountains), the architecture and landmarks of the city, understanding the haka, our Māori ways of being, and the great ariki (chiefs) who have shaped our country and our identity.

Whether you’re just starting out in te reo Māori or well along the path, Tāmaki is rich with treasures, like those below, to welcome, inspire, and guide you. Here’s how you can experience te ao Māori with the Treasures of Tāmaki.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast!  

Ngā Taonga Tūturu: Treasured – Māori Portraits at Auckland Art Gallery 

This stunning exhibition features portraits of many great rangatira and ariki (leaders and chiefs) of our past, especially those connected to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Through these works, history comes alive as you come face-to-face with some of our greatest ancestors. While in this space, take time to listen closely to the karakia (prayers) you hear, it will add meaning to your experience.

Blue Rose Café 

Blue Rose Café serves Pacific and Māori-inspired meals that feel like home. A standout is their hāngī pie, blending the traditional earth-oven flavours of hāngī with the Kiwi classic pie. You’ll also find brunch favourites with Māori twists, like pork belly eggs benedict.

Ara Journeys 

Ara Journeys offers a geolocation-based storytelling app that lets you explore Tāmaki Makaurau while hearing stories in the places they happened. Using Tuwhiri, you can discover Māori histories, complete quests, and earn real-world rewards.

Te Pou Theatre

Located at Corban Estate Arts Centre, Te Pou Theatre is a kaupapa Māori performing arts venue that celebrates both traditional and contemporary theatre, bringing powerful and authentic Māori stories to life.

The Haka Experience

The haka is one of the most recognised expressions of Māori culture worldwide, and this is a rare opportunity to learn from the very best. Led by Tapeta and Annette Wehi of the renowned kapa haka group Te Waka Huia, you’ll discover the power, meaning, and spirit behind the haka.

The All Blacks Experience

The All Blacks have taken the haka to the world stage, and this experience invites you to witness its power up close. Feel the passion, history, and unity that make New Zealand rugby a global inspiration, grounded in a culture that is uniquely Māori and proudly shared with the world.

Au – The Visitor Promise

Embark on a digital adventure with Moana as your guide and learn how to be a good visitor in Aotearoa. This essential cultural guide helps you travel with respect and understanding, ensuring your visit leaves a positive impact.

Panapa Charters 

Māori are renowned as some of the greatest navigators in the world, and we are equally known for our love of kaimoana (seafood). This sea charter experience weaves Māori fishing traditions with storytelling, offering a journey that nourishes both the body and the spirit.

Matariki Tours

Matariki is a national holiday in Aotearoa, a time to honour the Māori new year. Join tours that celebrate Matariki and connect you to the stars, stories, and traditions that have guided Māori for centuries. Learn the meaning behind this special time and experience its beauty firsthand.

Te Ihu o Mataoho Tours

Experience guided adventures that bring to life the unique stories, histories, and ecologies of Ihumātao. Te Ihu o Mataoho Tours connect you to the rich cultural heritage of this special place, sharing the kōrero that has shaped its people and landscape for generations.

Te Hana Te Ao Mārama 

A cultural experience that invites you to step into a traditional Māori village and experience the richness of te ao Māori. Choose from the Ultimate Māori Culture Experience with pōwhiri, village tour, kapa haka, and hāngī; an Overnight Marae Stay to experience being part of a Māori community; or an Education Programme with hands-on activities like poi making, flax weaving, and waiata.

Rerehua Boutique 

A boutique celebrating Māori and Pacific design, weaving cultural stories into fashion and art. This small whānau-owned business brings a vision of quality and timeless style, creating pieces that are both stylish and beautifully simple.

Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport

Named after the highest chiefly rank, Te Arikinui means “Supreme Paramount Chief.”

With its distinctive three-point design honouring key sites from the Tainui waka’s journey, this 5-star hotel blends luxury with cultural heritage and offers guests a truly special experience.

Te Wharekura

Housed in a restored historic kiosk on Auckland’s waterfront, this free public space features mahi toi (art) by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists, interactive displays, and illuminated pou (pillars) telling key cultural stories. Its name, meaning “house of learning,” reflects the goal of inspiring visitors to appreciate and protect the natural and cultural treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Mā Whero Education 

Mā Whero Education partners with community groups and educational institutions to deliver meaningful and high-quality learning and cultural experiences for all participants. Their tours provide immersive experiences across various locations, including guided tours to explore the rich landscapes and historical sites of Aotearoa New Zealand

Tūāpae Vineyard 

Located on Waiheke Island, Tūāpae, meaning “anything bounding the horizon,” is a family-owned Māori vineyard. The land spans tribal territory, and Tūāpae embraces its role as kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua, practising ki uta ki tai, meaning “from mountains to sea.” This philosophy recognises that viticulture influences not only the soil and fruit quality but also the health of the streams that flow to the surrounding moana (ocean/sea).

TIME Unlimited Tours 

TIME, an acronym for “To Integrate Māori Experiences,"offers guided tours that weave together culture, history, and landscapes.

Glorious Tours 

Based in Māngere, South Auckland, Glorious Tours is proudly Māori and Pacific-owned, female-led organisation deeply rooted in the local community. Explore Tāmaki Makaurau with Glorious Tours and celebrate culture, land, and community.

Te Manu Taupua 

Te Manu Taupua offers a rare opportunity to experience history through the eyes of those who inherit it (direct descendants of Auckland’s founding chief) – an open invitation to connect, learn, and be inspired. Through visits to culturally significant sites, including ancient maunga (mountains), moana (waters), and marae (meeting houses), visitors gain insight into Māori values, traditions, and the journey described as from “survivalism to thrivalism.”

Walking between Worlds 

Step onto a traditional marae in Tāmaki Makaurau for a full-day cultural experience that brings Māori heritage to life. The Walking between Worlds Māori Cultural Day Experience, designed for groups of up to 20, offers an unforgettable journey of connection, learning, and celebration.

Pause for Tea, by Timmy Smith

Nestled in the heart of the Hauraki Gulf on Waiheke Island, Pause for Tea offers a tranquil escape where tradition meets modernity. Specialising in authentic herbal teas, handcrafted infusions, and sugar-free sparkling teas, it’s the perfect spot to relax, connect, and savour flavours that celebrate cultural heritage.

Oystar Creative

Based in Aotearoa, this dynamic event production company produces culturally rich experiences across live, virtual, and hybrid formats – from intimate bespoke performances to large-scale shows, seamless event management, and engaging content creation.

Unity Collection

A contemporary Māori gallery showcasing design, fashion, and art from Māori and Pacific creators. Discover taonga (treasures) curated with aroha (love) to connect people through culture, creativity, and storytelling. From fine art and pounamu (greenstone) to fashion, jewellery, homeware, and gifts for tamariki (children), every piece carries a story.

Kiko Guided Tour 

A guided tour with a focus on the kiko (essence) of Tāmaki Makaurau. With six boutique tour options to choose from including Manukau Harbour, Auckland Botanic Gardens and city sightseeing, Kiko offers something for every visitor to gain fresh insight into the cultural richness of Auckland.

Cruise New Zealand 

Super yacht Rua Moana - meaning two waters in te reo Māori - can accommodate up to 60 people with ease for half or full-day charters, and eight guests for overnight and extended cruises for further afield. Important business meetings, weddings and milestone birthdays are a specialty.

Novotel Auckland Airport 

A hotel that incorporates Māori art and design into its spaces. Notice the whakairo (carvings) and taonga.

Aria Collection

Make sure you stop in at Aria Collection, a Māori-owned athleisure brand with a mission to inspire confidence that resonates across generations.

Their kākahu (clothing) are a reflection of identity, uplifting body, mind, and spirit. At the heart of the brand is a commitment to empower wāhine of all sizes, with each piece guided by a kaupapa of sustainability, inclusivity, and empowerment.