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Māori Welcomes

WanaHaka Māori Welcomes are authentic cultural experiences delivered by Māori hosts, offering meaningful connection to the land, people, and traditions of Aotearoa New Zealand. These welcomes follow appropriate cultural protocols and are designed to create a respectful, engaging introduction to Māori culture. Māori Welcomes can be arranged for groups, corporate events, conferences, weddings, schools, and private gatherings across Central Otago. Each experience is tailored to the occasion while remaining grounded in tradition, storytelling, and shared understanding.

 

This is a standalone cultural experience, separate from our wine tours, and is ideal for groups seeking a genuine Māori welcome that honours heritage, place, and community.

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Māori Welcome Conferences/Tour Groups

The Māori Whakataū/Welcome will connect you to the whenua/land and start a conference or group welcome with the intent of facing front on all challenges we all face as a group, business, individuals. It will build a bond of togetherness/whānau/family, and leave you feeling vitalised for the conference. The time range for these can go from 10/15min for conferences to 30/45min for more in-depth connection to Central Otago.

“We were privileged to have Joe open our conference at

The Heritage, Queenstown with a traditional Māori welcome . He also spent time giving a moving explanation of the Haka and other elements of Māori tradition . It was a highlight of our day . I would thoroughly recommend Having joe work with you on your special event. Thanks joe”

 

Sandoz, Australia at The Heritage, Queenstown

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Māori Welcome - Weddings

This is a Wedding welcome group option to the beautiful Central Otago region of Wānaka and Queenstown with a set fee regardless of the number of your guests. This is more personalised towards YOUR wedding and to provide your guests with a unique Māori culture experience to include in your special day here in New Zealand. This is from experience more suited to the day(s) before the wedding day where guests have gathered together for a pre-wedding get together, so the wedding day is about YOU.  If you can't see suitable availability, send me a message or email to check availability.

My husband and I were very fortunate to have Joe Waide from WanaHaka perform a Whakatau for our wedding in Queenstown, this entailed a beautiful Whaikorero (opening greeting), Haka (traditional maori war dance) and hongi (greeting). I found Joes number via the WanaHaka website and since the first call he made the whole process so personal and seamless. Joe’s performance was strong, powerful and deeply moving. I am a kiwi with Maori ancestry but husband is Australian as are his parents thus they had no idea what to expect with having a maori ceremony proceeding the celebrants ceremony, needless to say they and my other guests were completely blown away with the energy Joe brought to his performance. Joe is an absolute gentleman and so accommodating, he explains everything in thorough detail and personalises his performance to suit your needs. I really cannot recommend Joe highly enough, especially if you are looking for a beautiful “kiwi” edge to your wedding or to any function for that matter.  Thanks again Joe you bloody legend! x 

 

Madhi - Australia

Māori Welcome School from Australia with WanaHaka

Māori Welcome - School Groups

If you are looking at bringing a school group, scout group or even a junior sports team to Queenstown or Wānaka and would like to not just watch a Māori welcome but actually learn more about some of the intricacies of Tikanga/Protocol and how it is immersed in schools and society today here in Aotearoa, New Zealand then this is what you are looking for.

It is all broken down in a 60min session, with a Q and A at the end to see how much the students learn. For more info, email us at info@wanahaka.co.nz 

I recently planned a school snow tour from Queensland to Queenstown for 40 students and 4 staff and we were absolutely blessed to be given an introduction to Maori culture, language and Haka by Joe. I cannot speak highly enough of this incredible man. Joe took the time to guide my students through traditional welcomes, language, connection to land and stories as well as performing and breaking down several Hakas. If you are looking for an engaging, 100% authentic, 100% genuine, cultural experience for your students, Joe at WanaHaka is your guy. Thanks Joe, we will see you in 2024!

 

Ben A- School Group Melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Māori Welcome involve?

A Māori Welcome is an authentic cultural experience delivered by Māori hosts. It includes traditional protocols, storytelling, and cultural practices that provide a meaningful connection to the land, people, and heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Who are Māori Welcomes suitable for?

Māori Welcomes are suitable for a wide range of groups, including corporate events, conferences, weddings, schools, and private gatherings.

Are Māori Welcomes available for private bookings?

Yes. Māori Welcomes are available for private bookings and can be tailored to suit your group, event, or occasion.

How do I check availability or make a booking?

If availability is not shown online or you would like to discuss a specific event, please contact us directly to enquire and check availability.

 A truly unforgettable experience from start to finish.

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