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Waipoua Forest - Tāne Mahuta Encounter

1 Day Tour

Educational

Tour Details

This tour is open! The Waipoua Forest is one of you few places you can view New Zealand's giant Kauri trees, as many other regions have been recently closed to the public.

We make it a mission to educate all those in New Zealand to have an awareness of the importance of nature and conservation. Every person coming to Aotearoa deserves an opportunity to feel up close the energy residing in the only sizable remnant and reserve of Kauri trees. This educational tour is lead by a Māori guide who will share the songs and legends of the Waipoua forest.

Click here to download our educational information guide.

Tour Schedule

Setting out from Auckland by van, Meet your Maori guide at the Waipoua Forest. Stepping into our special world you will be walking under the same way that guided our ancestor Kupe from legendary Hawaiiki to New Zealand. On the paths of the forest we meet trees that were already giants before his arrival and that were standing before the birth of Christ.

You will experience the affinity that early Maori had with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they hold for the giants still growing there.  Learn of the rich bird life and other fauna that inhabits the forest and witness the transitions of life.

Your Maori guides will relate stories and legends of the forest, of its gods, and other spiritual inhabitants. They will greet the giant trees with spine-tingling waiata (sacred chants). You will learn how Maori used plants for medicinal purposes.

In the forest you will meet Te Matua Ngahere - 'The Father of the Forest'.  At between 2,500 and 3,000 years old he is the oldest known kauri tree in the world. Your guide will greet this giant as an old friend.  The highlight of the tour will be your meeting with 'The Lord of the Forest' - the giant Tane Mahuta! Your guide will formally greet the silent giant.

*Note: this tour requires a minimum of 3 adults to request Maori guide. We offer a 3 day Bay of Island tour with the option to go to the Giant Kauri tree and Glowworm tour (you can also book this tour by itself as a 1 day trip).

Trip Plan

Tour Length: 1 full day

Minimum Number: This tour requires a minimum of 3 Adults for Maori guide. (We can run this tour without Maori guide from 2 Adults. Also, please feel free to contact us to see if we have an availability for 1 person.)

Itinerary:

08:00 - Leave Auckland
08:45 - Visit the Honey Centre
12:30 - Arrive at the Waipoua visitor center and have a picnic lunch.
13:00 - Meet the giant Kauri trees.  Local Maori* guide will take you into the Waipoua forest, and share their songs and legends. (*min of 3 adults)
14:30 - Leave the Waipoua Forest
18:00 - Arrive in Auckland

What to Bring:

For the most enjoyable experience, we recommend that you bring-

  • A camera!
  • Hiking boots
  • Lightweight jacket (in winter) or sun hat (in summer)
  • Water bottle

** This tour includes a picnic lunch at the Waipoua visitor center.

Tour Cost

The Navi Team works hard to bring you the best pricing anywhere! Let us know if you can find better pricing.

3 people minimum for this tour.

$
380.00
 NZD / person
$
190.00
NZD / child 
under 11 years old
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Waipoua Forest - Tāne Mahuta Encounter

Contact Details

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Related Tours

Tour Application Terms & Conditions

Do you have a question which is not covered here? Click here to ask us!

Special Note for this Tour

All terms & conditions below apply as normal, with these differences;

Booking

  • A minimum of 2 adults must be attending the tour for the tour to take place.
  • Application for a tour must be made by phone, fax or e-mail no later than 5:00 PM of the day before the tour.
  • Your application may not be accepted if the tour is full, prior to your booking.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Cancellation of tours is free if carried out by 5:00 PM, two working days before the tour.
  • Cancellation of tours carried out by 5:00 PM one working day before the tour will cost 50% of the price of the tour.
  • Cancellation of tours after 5:00 PM one working day before the tour will cost the full price of the tour.
  • Cancellation of fishing tours will cost 20% of the tour cost after you have sent in your form as the boat will be chartered.
  • Cancellation of Hobbiton movie set tours will cost NZ$35.00 per person as a cancellation of lunch fee if cancelled after 5:00 pm four working days before the tour.
  • Cancellation of Hobbiton evening banquet tours will cost the full price of the tour if cancelled after 5:00 pm eight working days before the tour.
  • If you won't show up at the pick-up time even after 15 mins of the time, we have to start the tours without you.

Tour Costs

  • If there are two adults attending the tour, the cost of the tour written is the cost for one person.
  • If there are two adults attending the tour, children ( aged 5~11 ) will cost half of what is written.

Warning

  • Please understand that changes of schedule, cost and tours may occur with no notice.
  • Photos are only images.