DESTINATIONS — AUSTRALASIA
Kiwi culture
10
of the BEST
New Zealand cultural sites
David Whitley finds that there’s more to 1 F
or many visitors, New Zealand is about the scenery.
And quite rightly so – few countries are as photogenic. But beyond the mountains, fjords and volcanic sand beaches, there is a rich, complex culture to discover. Generally, the North Island comes up trumps for cultural attractions – particularly Maori experiences – but intriguing heritage sites are spread throughout the country. We’ve picked 10 of the best.
1
Rotorua Maori experience
The most popular spot for a taste of Maori culture
tends to be Rotorua, a city where geothermal activity and an egg- like sulphur smell pervade. Evening experiences based around meals cooked in a hangi (earth oven) act as a slickly-produced sampler course. They generally include Maori dance performances, traditional nose-rubbing welcome ceremonies and the famous haka.
New Zealand than its magnificent landscapes
Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking this represents modern, everyday Maori life. Book it: The Tamaki Tours hangi and concert experience in the Te Tawa Ngahere Pa village is available with Austravel from £57.
austravel.com
2
The East Cape Rotorua tends to be the hub for Maori entertainment, but it
can feel a little theme park-esque for some tastes. The real Maori heartland is the North Island’s relatively remote East Cape, where traditional village life goes on largely undisturbed by visitors. You won’t get any shows, but you do get the opportunity to talk to locals in pubs, watch fishermen pull in their catch and possibly get invited into the local marae (meeting house) for a look around. It’s low on infrastructure, but high on authenticity. The coastline between Whakatane and Gisborne makes for spectacular drive, while
there’s also the opportunity to hand-feed stingrays from the beach at Tatapouri. Book it: Stray sells a budget four- day East Bro Pass around the East Cape for about £168.
straytravel.com
3
Waitangi and the Bay of Islands Just across the bridge from the Bay Of Islands’
main tourist hub Paihia, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are where modern New Zealand was born. The visitor centre covers the history of the agreement between the Maori and Pakeha (European settlers) – as well as the poorly translated founding document’s lingering controversies. Further up, at the northern tip of the country is Cape Reinga, which is where Maoris believe spirits depart for the underworld after death. There’s a blustery, end-of-the- world feel to the clifftops. Book it: Travel 2 offers a three-day Essential Bay of Islands coach tour
from Auckland, including Cape Reinga and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, from £459.
travel2.com
4
Art deco Napier Out of New Zealand’s deadliest natural disaster, something remarkable
was born. The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake killed 256 people and reduced the city of Napier to rubble. The rebuilding, however, was done in the style of the day. Art deco was cheap as well as fashionable, and vast swathes of the new-look city suddenly looked like a distinctively Kiwi take on Miami’s South Beach. The National Tobacco Building is the artistic highlight, but it’s the sheer concentration of art deco buildings that makes Napier so visually stunning. It’s worth taking time to look for local details such as fern leaf motifs among the dazzling uniformity. Book it: 1st Class Holidays sells two-and-a-half hour Napier
17 July 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 53
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