Discover Aotearoa, our roots, landscapes and legends | Stuff.co.nz

Māori culture

The tangata whenua have shaped Aotearoa for more than 1000 years: their history, culture, myths, legends, language and cuisine are intrinsic to the national identity. Deepen your understanding of Māori culture by visiting a marae, watching a kapa haka performance, or taking a tour with a Māori guide.

The fabulous Far North never fails to fire up your spirits

The fabulous Far North never fails to fire up your spirits

The cycle trail that's a journey into Te Ao Māori

The cycle trail that's a journey into Te Ao Māori

How famous NZ landmarks got their Māori names

How famous NZ landmarks got their Māori names

What's in a name? When it comes to our place names, expect rip-roaring yarns taking in everything from early explorers to star-crossed lovers.

The capsized waka that formed a Southland mountain range

The capsized waka that formed a Southland mountain range

According to the Ngāi Tahu Atlas, the traditional name for the Waimea Plains is Kā Rā-o-Takitimu, or The Sails of the Takitimu. Some say the waka washed up at the foot of the Takitimus and metamorphosed into the giant mountain range.

Māori tourism operators recognised as finalists in national awards

Māori tourism operators recognised as finalists in national awards

New Zealand Māori Tourism pou tikanga Whitiaua Black says tourists are finding kaupapa Māori tourism and Māori operators an attractive proposition.

My first Matariki: A mid-winter recharge Māori style

My first Matariki: A mid-winter recharge Māori style

A Kiwi reserve full of ancient trees and alien-like creatures

A Kiwi reserve full of ancient trees and alien-like creatures

Find your experience

New Zealand

Rest of the World

I want to go to

I'm interested in

deals and offers More

7 Day Luxury Food and Sightseeing Tour of the South Island

Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail Adventure

Ohakune Old Coach Road Cycle Explorer

See more offers

Experiences More

Cycling holidays

The best accessible beaches in New Zealand

The best accessible beaches in New Zealand

Stewart Island/Rakiura is one of NZ’s great foodie destinations

Stewart Island/Rakiura is one of NZ’s great foodie destinations

Some of the best, and weirdest, ice cream in the country

Some of the best, and weirdest, ice cream in the country

more stories

Exploring Ōpononi's celebration of Kupe

Exploring Ōpononi's celebration of Kupe

Take a look inside the $9.6 million centre honouring the master explorer and discoverer of Aotearoa.

Where you can celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, in 2021

Where you can celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, in 2021

We might have one more year to wait until Matariki becomes an official public holiday, but there's plenty you can do to celebrate this year.

Five of the most sacred Māori sites in New Zealand

Five of the most sacred Māori sites in New Zealand

Aotearoa's most spiritually significant landmarks are awe-inspiring whatever your beliefs. Every Kiwi should visit at least once.

Searching out the signposts to our shared past

Searching out the signposts to our shared past

Landmarks of our shared history are now emerging from the shadows of the past.

Kupe's grand tour of Aotearoa still makes for an epic adventure

Kupe's grand tour of Aotearoa still makes for an epic adventure

The great navigator left his mark on some of our most beautiful landscapes on a journey some 1000 years ago.

The fabulous Far North never fails to fire up your spirits

The fabulous Far North never fails to fire up your spirits

Northland is rich in history, and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say every Kiwi should make a pilgrimage there.

The cycle trail that's a journey into Te Ao Māori

The cycle trail that's a journey into Te Ao Māori

Kei te haere koe i runga i to pahikara – get on your bicycle – to deepen your knowledge, make new connections, and improve your reo Māori.

How famous NZ landmarks got their Māori names

How famous NZ landmarks got their Māori names

What's in a name? When it comes to our place names, expect rip-roaring yarns taking in everything from early explorers to star-crossed lovers.

The capsized waka that formed a Southland mountain range

The capsized waka that formed a Southland mountain range

According to the Ngāi Tahu Atlas, the traditional name for the Waimea Plains is Kā Rā-o-Takitimu, or The Sails of the Takitimu. Some say the waka washed up at the foot of the Takitimus and metamorphosed into the giant mountain range.

Māori tourism operators recognised as finalists in national awards

Māori tourism operators recognised as finalists in national awards

New Zealand Māori Tourism pou tikanga Whitiaua Black says tourists are finding kaupapa Māori tourism and Māori operators an attractive proposition.

My first Matariki: A mid-winter recharge Māori style

My first Matariki: A mid-winter recharge Māori style

This time of year is made for stargazing, cosy storytelling sessions and overindulging in locally sourced kai.

A Kiwi reserve full of ancient trees and alien-like creatures

A Kiwi reserve full of ancient trees and alien-like creatures

Hukutaia Domain is a Noah’s Ark of New Zealand bugs, birds and plants.

Neighbourly Travel Bookings Play Stuff Stuff Coupons Death Notices Stuff Events Advertising Careers Privacy Policy Cookies Policy Terms & Conditions Editorial Code Contact Us Desktop Site

Breaking news?

Send your photos, videos and tip-offs to

newstips@stuff.co.nz, or call us on 0800 697 8833

© 2021 Stuff Limited