Walking Tours Mount Maunganui

Our Mauao Walk and Workshop allows you to experience cultural history and learn the environmental significance of our ancestral mountain, Mauao (Mount Maunganui). Connect with tangata whenua (Indigenous people of the area) and take part in our cultural practices of Rāranga, traditional weaving using native flax or Rongoā, traditional plant medicine using a seasonal native plant.

Cultural Walk
Enjoy a guided walk with stories shared by local Māori Hear the tale of how our mountain, Mauao, got his name See where the first canoes of our local Māori came in from the Pacific Hear how our ancestors lived and see what evidence they left behind
Raranga Discover the harakeke (flax plant) and its significance to our environment and culture. Learn the correct procedures of harvesting a harakeke leaf. Weave your harvested leaf into something beautiful.
Rongoā Meet the native plants of Mauao
Learn how our ancestors used these plants for health and well-being Make your own rongoā concoction
Includes:
Fully guided walk around Mauao (60 minutes) Choice of weaving or plant medicine workshop ( 60 minutes) Snacks and beverages.
You can choose to be collected from the gates of the Port of Tauranga, or meet us onsite.


Important Information Before Booking A moderate level of fitness is required to participate. The walk itself is 60 minutes on an undulating gravel track of the mountain. Appropriate footwear is required. All other information will be provided after confirmation including how to prepare, weather considerations, etc.

Immerse yourself in true Tauranga culture from the Mountain to the Sea, escorted by our local guides on waka ama (outrigger) canoes, walking our ancestral mountain, Mauao.



By Mountain

Enjoy a guided walk with stories shared by local Māori
Hear the tale of how our mountain, Mauao, got his name
See where the first canoes of our local Māori came in from the Pacific
Hear how our ancestors lived and see what evidence they left behind

By Sea

A unique experience of paddling to Mauao by Waka Ama!
Accompanied by experienced Waka Ama steerers who take care of all your needs
Includes a lesson, waka ama experience, and all equipment needed
Sit on the shores of Mauao while enjoying a snack and swimming the clear waters of Te Awanui.





You can choose to be collected from the gates of the Port of Tauranga, or meet us onsite.




Important Information Before Booking

A moderate level of fitness is required to participate. You will be paddling a waka ama canoe with others and walking the undulating gravel tracks of the mountain, spending approximately 1 hour on each activity.
You will be taking footwear off and getting feet and ankles wet.
All other information will be provided including how to prepare, weather considerations, dietary requirements, etc.