My cultural experience with Mitai and the kiwi encounter at Rainbow Springs

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The bus picked us up at about 5 pm. The bus was warm, comfortable and clean. Arriving at the site of Mitai, we were welcomed by a Maori woman. The welcoming and the later meal took place in a tent, which was heated by radiant heaters. The guide asked for different nationalities and explained that the guests together represent a tribe, when we would later meet the tribe of the Māori. Therefore we had to choose a chiefto represent our tribe as well.

After the small welcoming of the guide we went outside to have a look at the delicious Hangi. Because it was pretty cold, the staff provided blankets for their guests. Then the Hangi meal was showed to the visitors and was explained. After the explanation of the Hangi, we walked through the park to see the waka (canoe) performance. But the guide strongly recommended us to be careful, because the path was a bit uneven and had no rail at the river. But the path was still ok and not too difficult. The waka performance itself was really impressive. First one could only see some Māori warriors walking through the forest with torches, which created a tense atmosphere. As a waka performance the warriors on the long canoe played the drums and went down the river, which was really spectacular.

After that we went to the cultural experience, which took place on a stage with impressive scenery looking like a Māori village. This was also good to see for everybody. The Māori warriors and women were performing a traditional welcoming ceremony, where the appointed chief had to represent our tribe. The Māori people also performed traditional dances and songs. They were wearing as well traditional clothing and tattoos, which was authentic and persuasive and which created also a tense atmosphere. During the performance there were radiant heaters and one had the provided blankets to feel warmer. The performers explained also the weapons, games and music instruments of the Māori, which was very interesting. Due to a charming and funny Maori guide on the stage it became also refreshing and entertaining.

After that we went back to the tent to have the hangi meal. Three buffet tables provided all the same food with chicken, lamb, potatoes, kumaras (sweet potatoes) and salads. Unfortunately seafood like fish, prawns or mussels were missing. The desert buffet provided chocolate cake, fruit salad and Pavalova. Furthermore free coffee and tea was offered.

If you have booked the combo package with Rainbow Springs, you had about a ten minute walk from Mitai to the park of rainbow springs, guided by a woman from the Rainbow Springs. For the walk through the park everybody got a torch. The first stop was in the Mitai Park to look at a lake with glow worms. Arriving at Rainbow Springs we stopped first at a small lake with trouts. After some interesting information we went to the kiwi enclosure, where we had to be very quiet to see the birds. And fortunately we could observe a kiwi lady walking through her enclosure. Furthermore the guide stopped with us at the Kea enclosure and gave us furthermore information about trouts and tuataras. After the tour the visitors were given time to have a look at the shop. The guides were all the time professional, friendly, helpful and could answer all questions.http://www.mitai.co.nz/ and http://rainbowsprings.co.nz/

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