Te Puia is home to dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and Aotearoa's Māori cultural centre.

Once known as the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia is now our national school for wood carving (Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau), weaving (Te Rito), and stone carving. Students from Iwi across Aotearoa apply to train under master craftsmen (and women), which is one way the knowledge of Māori arts and crafts is passed down through generations.

The best way to see Te Puia

The only way to explore Te Puia is with a guided tour. A standard Te Rā tour is 1.5 hours, but you can add additional experiences to your ticket, which will increase the time you're here. Pātaka Kai Restaurant serves delicious food, including hāngi. If you are visiting New Zealand for the first time, I highly recommend combining Te Po (their buffet dinner) and Haka. Watching the Haka always brings a tear to my eye.

How much does it cost?

Te Puia is open from 8:45 am – 4 pm, 7 days a week, and ticket prices start at $56. I highly recommend booking them in advance, especially if you'd like to add on a meal at Pātaka Kai Restaurant.

How to get there

Te Puia is just under 10 minutes from the centre of Rotorua. The easiest way to get there is by entering ‘Te Puia, Rotorua’ into Google Maps. When you arrive, you'll find plenty of free parking and toilets.