1 Day Tour
Educational
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.
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).
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-
** This tour includes a picnic lunch at the Waipoua visitor center.
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.
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