Waiheke Island: Maori Cultural Tour + Lunch + Wine
Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and customs of the fascinating Māori culture with our amazing tours! Explore the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Waiheke Island. Our tours are led by a local Māori guide who will share his (whakapapa) ancestry and weave stories of land wars and present-day Māori life, all interwoven with wine, food (kai), and storytelling (kōrero) and Waiata (song). You can catch the 9:15 AM ferry with Island Direct Ferry Service or the 9:00 AM ferry with Fullers Ferry Service. **9:40 AM** – Upon your arrival at Waiheke Island, Paora will greet you, marking the beginning of your journey with a karakia (blessing) at Matiatia Bay. **10:15 AM**—Join Paora for a Sacred Sites Tour around Waiheke Island. He will share the rich history of the Māori people, their arrival, and their life on the island. You will also see ancestral pō (statues) and marvel at Waiheke Island's incredible scenery, including villages, beaches, medicinal plants, and birds. **11:00 AM** – Visit Batch Winery for wine tastings while enjoying incredible views out to Auckland City, Whangapaora, and The Coromandel all from the highest point on Waiheke Island, overlooking north-facing, sun-soaked hillsides of vines, including terraces of traditional elegant grape varieties. **12:00 PM** – Enjoy lunch at Three Seven Two, an award-winning restaurant located right across from the beautiful Onetangi Beach, where whales, orcas, dolphins, and stingrays roam. While savoring a glass of wine with your meal, you will hear further commentary about this part of the island. After lunch, you will take a short walk as Paora shares more stories about the history of this beach and the adjacent islands. The tour will conclude with more commentary on sacred sites and a blessing to send you off. You can then catch the ferry back or be dropped off in Oneroa to continue exploring, shopping or enjoying the village.