Feel the Spirit of Aotearoa: Let the Land and People Lead the Way

There’s a certain energy to New Zealand - a rhythm beneath the landscapes, a story in every shadow, and a warmth that isn’t just from the sun. To truly experience Aotearoa, you need to tune into the heart of it - and that heart beats through Māori culture. Whether it’s through food, stories, performance or place, Māori culture offers something few destinations can: meaning.

Because cultural moments can unlock fresh perspectives to create a truly transformative experience.

Let your next programme go beyond the itinerary and into something deeper.

The Pōwhiri Welcome

Pōwhiri (Ceremonial Welcome)

A pōwhiri is a moving way to begin your programme. Performed by local iwi (tribes), it involves traditional song, speech and karanga (call of welcome). A symbolic gesture of connection between host and guest.

You can host one at a traditional marae, or bring the experience to your resort or event venue. Guests often say it’s the moment they feel the “real” New Zealand.

For groups arriving from different time zones or cities, this shared start sets a grounding tone for what’s to come.

Hīkoi (Guided Cultural Walks)

Kick off your journey with a walk led by Māori storytellers across ancestral land. Hīkoi, or guided cultural walks, led by Māori storytellers, offer a way to experience the land through the lens of ancestry. From Auckland’s volcanic maunga (mountains) to the windswept bays of Northland, these experiences layer the journey with deep perspective. As you trace the steps of migration, navigation and guardianship, you really do begin to feel part of something bigger.

Shared Cultural Expression

Haka Workshop:

Guided haka workshops are an energising and impactful way to bring teams closer together  or to an incentive with style. During the session, your group will learn the story, stance and spirit behind the haka before performing it together. It’s a bonding experience no one forgets!

Poi and Craft Workshops

Balance the adrenaline of the haka with cultural craft. Sessions such as poi dance, raranga (weaving), bone carving or tā moko design give delegates the space to slow down, reflect and connect through creative expression.

Great for wellness segments, breakout rotations or small group bonding, it’s the perfect way to set the tone for the days ahead.

Celebrate With Story and Flavour

New Zealand’s food is flavourful, fresh and when done right, steeped in story. One of the most memorable ways to experience Māori culture is through hāngi - food slow-cooked underground using heated stones. Turn an evening into an immersive celebration by pairing the meal with kapa haka performances, waiata (song) and storytelling.

Venues like Tamaki Māori Village or Mitai in Rotorua, and marae settings in Northland or Christchurch, bring an authentic energy to the evening. Otherwise, why not opt for one of the lodal high-end lodges and collaborate with iwi for a more private, tailored experience.

Wine and Food Experiences with Māori Provenance

Looking for a culinary twist? Why not work with Māori-owned vineyards or food producers to curate a culinary experience with local heritage at its heart. At Tohu Wines in Nelson, for example, your can hear first-hand how the land, whakapapa (genealogy) and sustainability help shape its on-site wine production.

Deepen Connection With Nature and Spirit

Waka Experience

Let your group feel the rhythm of Aotearoa’s seas with a journey aboard a traditional waka (canoe). Guided by Māori navigators, your team will paddle in sync, learning chants and finessing their rhythm while learning more about Māori seafaring traditions.

Whether exploring the waters of Abel Tasman or Waitangi, these waka experiences are great for fostering teamwork, focus and shared energy.

Matariki or Stargazing Story Nights

After an afternoon on the water, why not host an evening of Māori stargazing and enjoy New Zealand’s famously clear skies. Around Lake Tekapo or Rotorua, storytellers share how the stars guided life, time and travel. Align this with the rising of Matariki, the Māori New Year, for a once-in-a-lifetime seasonal moment.

Weave Culture Through the Everyday

Cultural connection really is the key to a memorable incentive here in New Zealand and when it comes to culture, it’s all in the detail.

Add Te Reo Māori phrases to your signage and welcome materials - a warm nod of respect to local partners and a taste of what’s to come.

Teach your group easy expressions like:

• Kia ora – Hello / Thank you

• Haere mai – Welcome

• Ka pai – Well done

• Whanaungatanga – Connection through shared experience

Begin your morning sessions with a karakia - a blessing or invocation to bring focus and intent. These can be delivered by Māori hosts or printed with English translations.

Choose venues that support cultural partnerships. From Auckland’s urban hotels to lodges in the Bay of Islands, many properties work directly with iwi to ensure respectful, authentic cultural inclusion.

And when possible, take it offsite - to a marae, a cultural centre, or a sacred space where your group can step into something truly meaningful.

Why It Works

The best incentives are more than just a collection of luxury experiences - they’re stories your guests can return home with. Māori culture brings that story into sharp, emotional focus.

Here’s what makes it unforgettable:

• Emotional depth: It connects guests to something ancient and heartfelt.

• Authenticity: Guests experience New Zealand through the lens of the people who know it best

• Transformation: Cultural moments can be the difference between a good trip and a transformative one

• Connection: Guests bond more deeply with the place, host and each other.

Add Soul to Your Next Incentive

New Zealand doesn’t ask to be explored - it asks to be felt. To be respected. To be listened to.

By weaving Māori culture into your incentive programme, you create space for transformation. Not just because it’s beautiful or different, but because it’s alive - and when you engage with it fully, your guests come alive too.

With local support, venue partnerships and planning tools, New Zealand CVB can help shape your next story. One that isn’t just seen. But truly felt.