Experience New Zealand's magic: immerse yourself in Māori culture!

Experience New Zealand's magic: immerse yourself in Māori culture!

New Zealand's fascinating landscapes and rich culture are the focus of interest for travelers who want to experience this unique country up close. Claudia Vierjahn, travel expert for Australia and New Zealand at TravelEssence, particularly emphasizes that the way you travel is at least as important as the destination itself. Visitors can immerse themselves deeply in the culture of the Māori, the indigenous population of New Zealand who came from Hawaiki more than 1000 years ago and call themselves 'Tangata Whenua'.

Around 14% of New Zealand's total population has Māori roots, and the culture of these first settlers is closely linked to the country's identity. Māori, who had no written language for a long time, communicated through carving, knotting, weaving, song and dance. The traditional Haka, a war dance, and the Poi, a women's dance, are central elements of their culture. Vierjahn recommends feeling part of the Māori family (whānau) while traveling and booking individual experiences tailored to guests' personal interests from tour operators such as Maria Kire and Joe.

Deepening into Māori culture

A core aspect of Māori culture is the concept of ‘Manaakitanga’, which stands for hospitality. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and learn to appreciate Māori's strong spiritual connection to nature. This belief that everything in nature is alive and interconnected is embodied through rituals such as the Hongi, a traditional greeting. In 2014, the native forest region of Te Urewera was given the same legal rights as humans, highlighting the importance of nature in the Māori world.

The Te Papa Museum in Wellington offers extensive exhibitions on Māori history and culture. Visitors can learn more about the meaning of art, song (Waiata) and dance (Haka). To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating culture, some books are recommended, such as “Land of the Long White Cloud” by Kiri Te Kanawa or “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Maori Myth and Legend” by Margareth Orbell.

Travel recommendations from TravelEssence

TravelEssence is committed to the principle of slow travel and recommends spending at least two nights in one place. This allows travelers to have more immersive experiences and enjoy the natural environment, such as by staying overnight in a PurePod - a glass cube in nature with breathtaking views. The bespoke car rental holidays offered by TravelEssence combine flexibility with full service, allowing travelers to explore New Zealand's diverse landscapes in a relaxed manner.

To inform potential travelers about New Zealand, TravelEssence is hosting free travel presentations in Hamburg. These will take place on Tuesday 17th June at 6.30pm for New Zealand and Friday 13th June at 6.30pm for Australia. Topics range from routes and special experiences to practical travel knowledge such as the best time to travel and budget issues. With a high recommendation rate of 98 percent, interested parties can rely on first-class advice.

For more information about New Zealand's unique travel experiences and Māori culture, visit Evening paper and TravelEssence.