Cultural Pearls

Te Tai Tokerau is where Kupe is said to have made his first landfall. It’s no surprise that Northland is rich with significant historic sites, as travel writer Elisabeth Easther found.

Te Whare Rūnanga © Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

This is one of those things that all New Zealanders ought to do at least once in their lives. There is so much to be gained from a visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, to be immersed in the history of Aotearoa. Take a guided tour and all it stands for. Experience a cultural performance, marvel at the mighty ceremonial waka and admire the tuna (eels) in the pond outside the cafe.

Te Whare Rūnanga © David Kirkland

Te Kōngahu Museum

This is a state-of-the-art exhibition about Te Tiriti o Waitangi told from multiple perspectives. Helping visitors understand the nation’s evolution, Te Kōngahu has been turning heads since it opened in 2016. A new addition to the Waitangi experience is Te Rau Aroha, a poignant and elegantly curated account of the strength and commitment of Māori solders over various battles, wars and conflicts since the 1840s. Their sacrifices are described eloquently by Sir Apirana Ngata as The Price of Citizenship. Te Rau Aroha cuts straight to the heart with its immersive, interactive accounts of bravery and loss and it deserves all the accolades being heaped upon it.

Te Kōngahu Museum © Northland Tourism

Papatūānuku: Mother Earth Tours

Stella Kake-Schmid is a powerhouse of energy and vitality and she is also a mine of information. Putting her passions and trees to excellent use, Stella leads informative and engaging forest and wildlife conservation tours along the little known Ōpua Kauri Track, determined trustee of Bay Bush behind Paihia. Welcoming guests at the boot cleaning station to prevent kauri dieback, Stella equips her guests with tokotoko (walking sticks) featuring carved bird heads, before leading people into the bush, can flourish. telling stories of creation as seen from a Māori perspective, sharing information about the ngāhere and trees, rongoā, traditional Māori healing techniques, and the struggles faced by the forest due to predators and disease. As a fiercely determined trustee of Bay Bush Action, Stella is also devoted to educating people about the wonders of our natural world while ridding the Ōpua State Forest of predators so native species, including the kiwi, can flourish.

Kiwi © Getty Images

Kawiti Caves, Kawakawa

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve driven past the sign that points to Kawiti Caves, just south of Kawakawa. Recently I decided stop and I’m so glad I did. From moment we turned off SH 1 on to Waiomio Rd, the beautifully manicured grounds drew us in. The grass was an astonishing shade of emerald while kōtare (kingfishers) flew through the air, their iridescent wings shimmering in the sunlight. glowworm. Tours operate every day except Christmas Day and depart every half hour from 8.30am-4pm, with a member of the extended Kawiti whanau leading manuhiri (visitors) on tours of the Waiomio Glowworm Caves where they played when they were children. Boardwalks were constructed in the 1990s, so no worries about wet feet and along the way you’ll learn about geology, the history of the caves and the area, while also just being wowed by an up-close and personal audience with Arachnocampa luminosa aka the glowworm. These beguiling tours take about 45-60 minutes and end with a breathtaking self-guided stroll through ancient moss-clad rocks and atmospheric native bush.

Exploring New Zealand forest © Getty Image

5 MORE WAYS TO BE A CULTURE VULTURE

1. Learn a little te reo

by downloading the Māori language app Kupu; tune into Radio New Zealand to help you pronounce words correctly.

2. Stay overnight in a marae

in Northland, Auckland or Rotorua.

3. Visit The Auckland War Memorial Museum

This museum features high-quality cultural performances every day.

4. Enjoy a hangi feast

An experience you’ll find all over New Zealand.

5. Catch a haka perfomance

Te Hana, an hour north ofAuckland, is a great place to watch a powerful haka performance.

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Centre, Te Hana © Chris McLennan