Rotorua Travel Forum

My husband & I are looking for a hangi that is still cooked in the most traditional way - underground. I've found 2 companies that offer an "authentic" hangi. One is Mitai Maori Village & the other is Tamaki Maori Village. Any comments on which would give us the most traditional experience. Or any other company?

Or if you know of one on the South Island we'll be at Nelson, Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Te Anua, Dunedin & Christchurch.

Hi

I've been to the Tamaki village Hangi evening. It's OK, but very commercialised. We didn't see the food being cooked but they showed us the stone pit afterwards. The concert was quite good but not as professional as others I've seen on TV.

I attended a Tamaki Maori Hangi. It is not just the Hangi. We did see the food being taken out of the pits in the ground to be served in the dining room. The food is well protected by leaves from contamination.

While a bit commercialized, yes, I found it an interesting and inspiring event.

The details and links are in tips on my New Zealand page. Worthwhile experience imho.

Although very commercial I think the Tamaki experience is quite good - although I do not like the smokey taste of hangi food. But this is another story.

Of the places on the South Island they have Maori shows in Christchurch (Kotane at the Willowbank, with hangi) and the Birdlife Park in Queenstown. But I consider the hangi in Rotorua clearly better than in Chch. Last time I was in Rotorua you could also photograph the show and in Chch they have started to prohibit taking pictures during the dancing and singing, instead you can purchase photos... So make your own decision where you attend a show... Apart from all this a lot more Maori live on the North Island, so it would always be my first choice for such cultural things.