Tamaki Māori Village is proud to present, TE PĀ TŪ and its Matariki feast, Tū Te Ihi
Kō te pā tū, he tohu nō te ora. An elevated sanctuary, a symbol of wellbeing.
TŪ TE IHI May – October
Tū Te Ihi is the first in our series of TE PĀ TŪ seasonal culture and kai (cuisine) offerings, aligned with the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Tū Te Ihi shares ancient concepts, rituals, and stories connected with Matariki, the cluster of stars which sit high and bright in the winter skies. Te Ihi refers to the energy and passion stirred by the arrival of these stars and the promise they herald.
Tū Te Ihi spans the cooler months of the natural world’s cycle, when we come together to share ideas, food, and song, reflect upon the year that has passed and contemplate the year ahead. It brings memories, stories of our ancients, and draws them close.
4 hours of Tū Te Ihi immerses you in heart-warming ritual and the mystical ceremony of the umu kohukohu while feasting on delicious and nourishing seasonal kai (cuisine). Crackling bonfires in our native tawa forest and cosy whare (houses) are the intimate backdrop to Tū Te Ihi. Winter forest kai morsels may include spit-roasted tuna (native eel), mugs of steaming hot pork and watercress boil up, creamed pāua on rewena crostini, foraged greens, chunks of smoked kahawai with lashings of basil sauce and corn husk wrapped kumara kept warm in ashes.
A torch lined path leads to our candle lit wharekai for a sumptuous four course hākari (feast). Eclectically layers of mementos of Aotearoa history and eras and warm whānau (family) vibe intensifies the spirit of hākari.
Menus designed by award winning Māori chefs are prepared by our whānau – locally sourced seasonal staples like hāngī take on new guises and fusion dishes combining traditional delicacies and inspiration and adopted cooking techniques.
Tū Te Ihi is a uniquely New Zealand celebration of culture and cuisine across the Matariki season.
TŪ TE RĀ November – April
Tū Te Rā is the second in a new series of Te Pā Tū seasonal culture and kai experiences – aligned with the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and of peace.
Tū Te Rā is a time of year when the sun expresses its optimal energy. It is when our days are longest and where the energy of the light nourishes the natural world. It is a time for harvesting and a time for celebrating. It is also a time for warfare, for settling old scores and for forging peace.
It is 4 hours of drama, performance and divine seasonal kai shared against a backdrop of blazing bonfires, towering Tawa trees, and a natural forest amphitheatre.
Forest shared delicacies like crispy pork, caramelised apple wrapped in kawakawa, pāua, pikopiko fronds, smoked eel and charred hāngi kumara are followed by a three course hākari (feast).
Designed by award winning Māori chefs, staple favourite like hāngi share the table with fusion kai like Wagyu Pincanha, watercress chimichurri and pickled Pikopiko, BBQ Split Koura rangi (scampi) and puha kimchi.
Served al fresco on warmer nights and in our wharekai when chilly, the space is eclectic designed to make you wonder if you have stumbled into the profits of a trade or of warfare and to feel the depth and generosity of hākari.
What you can expect:
- 4 hours of performance, drama, and kai (cuisine)
- Forest canapes
- Complimentary chef choice aperitif
- Three course Māori-fusion feast
- Complimentary return transport from central city
To note:
Children welcome
Special dietary options available
Licenced bar – with kai paired wine list option
Wheelchair and child buggy accessible
