Haere mai....and welcome to New Zealand
Great places… warm faces
Searching for a connection that touches your soul?
As a destination, New Zealand stands upon the reputation of its world-renowned hospitality, a view that has just been corroborated by an international survey by the World Economic Forum. New Zealand was ranked highest globally, along with Iceland, on how welcoming they are to tourists. [1]
At the cultural heartland of New Zealand is the founding principle of ‘manaakitanga’ or hospitality, instilled by our indigenous peoples – the New Zealand Māori. Inherent to their culture is a philosophy where guests and visitors are treated with the highest respect and honour.
This principle translates into genuine friendliness throughout the country to generate heartfelt memories of tourists as they leave New Zealand: memories of the warmth of lasting connections made with people and the landscapes.
New Zealand Māori hosts are opening their hearts and homes to share their customs, beliefs and welcoming accommodation with guests. They offer visitors the chance to interact personally and provide direct access to their unique cultural heritage. Founded on the principle of ‘manaakitanga’, New Zealand’s Homestay Network, ‘Look After Me’, has Māori-friendly hosted accommodation and self-contained units all over New Zealand.
Experience private thermal pools and cook your own hangi
In Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and propensity of Māori culture, guests will be welcomed into a recently refurbished, fully self-contained unit: ‘Te Ara o Te Huia.’ Visitors (manuhiri) have access to an on-site thermal mineral pool for a private soak and are welcome to tuition to cook their own hangi, using the outside thermal steam cooker. Set in Ohinemutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, and amongst the gentle backdrop of geothermal wafts, host Riria McDonald has lineage back to the first Māori who settled the area.
Riria says “we share what we have, it’s just what we do. People like hearing stories of our land and our people.” Riria offers guided tours, and a selection of quality, authentic Māori-inspired gifts. With affordability and convenience in mind, accommodation is priced from $95 per night and is only 4 km from the central city.
Of her experience at Te Ara o Te Huia, guest Charlotte Keepa says: “You could feel the wairua (spirit) the ihi, (the universal life-force), the wana (the light), but best of all – was the manaakitanga – even the cat gave me cuddles!”
Indulge in Māori healing and massage and native herb-infused cuisine
On the other side of Lake Rotorua, for discerning guests seeking peace, privacy and healing - Wiki’s Lakeside Whare has breath-taking views over Lake Rotorua to Mokoia Island where Wiki’s Māori ancestors from the Te Arawa tribe lived when they first inhabited Rotorua. Wiki also offers a full range of authentic Māori massage (RomiRomi; Hot Stone Mirimiri Massage and traditional Māori healings).
Guests will be treated to a fresh organic breakfast or invited to share an evening meal with Wiki, former food/wine ambassador for Māori trade and cultural delegations to Italy, Dubai and Los Angeles. With her knowledge of indigenous herbs, Wiki creates dishes with the native plants for culinary flavour and good health. Wiki generously shares her local knowledge and offers recommendations to favourite local spots in and around Rotorua.
French-born Albert (see photograph) comments on the authenticity of the experience. “If you want to experience authentic Māori massage…romiromi goes beyond any other type of massages I've experienced in my life! Wiki’s place has an awesome view on a beautiful lake. Wiki makes authentic Māori cuisine as a chef and might take you to some Māori places not accessible to mundane tourism. I've spend 4 days at Wiki's place, the food was so great (please note I'm French) and I had hot sacred springs bathing and bush walks.”
An exclusive retreat with an abundance of kaimoana (seafood)
In the far north, aptly named ‘Paradise Shores', offers three exclusive guest rooms in private seclusion, with stunning beach outlook and direct access to productive fishing spots. Hosts Rowan and Morgan Toia share their connections with the local Patuharakeke Iwi and will introduce you to the Nova Scotian settlers at Waipu village. Fishing is one of Morgan’s favourite pastimes and he is happy to share local knowledge on the best fishing spots and native bush walks.
A network founded on Manaakitanga
‘Look After Me Homestay’ Founder Dr Julia Charity, has always been drawn to the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people. “There’s something so engaging about connecting with other cultures. I’ve taken time to learn the language and Māori customs (tikanga) to help me understand their innate connection to the land and the spiritual realm. I loved the idea behind manaakitanga so much that I founded the whole ‘Look After Me’ concept on the principle of hospitality. I say to people when they leave - you might forget the places, but you won’t forget the faces.”
For our ideas and suggestions on accommodation with connections to New Zealand Māori please get in touch with Julia at Look After Me Homestay Network.
[1] Global Tourism Study, March 2013. : The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, 2013.. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Competitiveness_Report_2013.pdf. 28 March 2013.