Explore the Hakikino reserve with your own dedicated Maori guide and follow in the footsteps of the ancestors.  This is a special opportunity for you to experience a personalized approach to appreciate Maori culture, heritage and the land. 

Hakikino is one of the places where Maori traditions began more than 700 years ago.  You will see the archaeological remains of the village that once thrived in the area in the 14th and 15th century.

We preserve our cultural heritage and enhance the environment of the heritage site, which is nestled on a working farm. Come share our history and customs and enjoy the incredible scenery.

• Walk the land and learn how people lived
• Hear the myths and legends and learn the ancient ways
• Discover the skills and crafts of our ancestors
• Watch the eels in their natural wetland habitat

This tour is held each day at 10am. Pre-bookings are essential.  A guide will meet you in Waimarama and lead you to Hakikino.  A moderate level of fitness is required.  We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a drink with you in warm weather. Cameras are permitted but images cannot be sold or used for commercial purposes.

Our new exclusive tour incorporates the best of our tours as well as a Maori meal onsite at Hakikino. For Maori, the ‘food of chiefs’ actually refers to conversation, because it was the Chief or Leader of a tribe who was the expert orator, and the one whose words sustained and protected his people.

This guided tour of our 15th century ancestral village is nestled in the middle of a working farm, and the local people have come together through these tours to preserve our cultural heritage and enhance the environment. You will be outdoors, in the middle of sweeping landscapes and inspiring scenery, with the scent of the sea in the air which can be seen in the distance: it’s magical.

On this site many hundreds of years ago today’s Maori traditions began. Your approach is heralded by the strident call of the warning trumpet. You must meet the warrior’s challenge before you can pass beneath the steely gaze of the sacred totems and enter the palisades, as people have done for centuries. There, the descendents of those who lived before will honour you with songs and other rituals of welcome. They will share with you the legends of their ancestors, and show you some of their individual traditional talents;

• Listen to the music made from the ancient traditional flutes
• Witness the fighting drills of the warriors and learn about weaponry and drills
• Discover the art and skill of flax weaving
• Learn about the importance of stone and its many uses
• See how the native eel, a major food resource, was gathered and maintained in the natural wetland habitat

You will then sit down to a selection of our fresh local seafood and an array of local vegetables with your guides. The history of the foods and how they have been traditionally gathered and prepared is shared during the meal. Enjoy a relaxing meal with the guides with plenty of time for conversation. 

Before you leave us, we will offer you a gift which we hope will keep us in each others’ memories.

This tour is held in Napier at the Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery. Your guide will greet you and together you will explore the treasures of Waimarama in our Private Gallery.

You will hear the stories of the ancestors of Waimarama and see their portraits painted by the famous Gottfried Lindauer, as well as hear the myths and legends of Hakikino.

Hakikino was the mighty fighting fortress in Waimarama that protected all our ancestors. Learn about the ancient ways and discover the crafts of our ancestors.

This tour is held every Saturday at 2:30 pm. Your Maori guide will touch your heart and open your mind.