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Te Pā Tū (formerly Tamaki Māori Village) in Rotorua has launched Tū Te Ihi – a winter season of culture and kai (cuisine) events designed to inspire the most discerning of MICE professionals.

Michele Weston, the venue’s conference and events manager, said at MEETINGS 2023 in Wellington that a delicious new five-course menu would be served “family style” rather than as a buffet.

Te Pā Tū cultural and cuisine exponents have teamed with New Zealand Masterchef champions and celebrity chefs, Kārena and Kasey Bird, to design a four-hour celebration honouring the unique energy and passion stirred by the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster and the winter kai harvest it heralds.

Tū Te Ihi begins with Ahi Taitai (fire ceremony), followed by ritual and kai horotai (canapes)

shared beneath the native Tawa forest canopy. A thrilling Māori performance follows before guests are welcomed into the beautifully styled wharekai.

Here, kai takes centre stage across a four-course degustation feast. Artisan New Zealand produce, meats and kaimoana (seafood) are the heroes brought together by a fusion of techniques including traditional dried, smoking, and preserving traditions, hāngī, fire pit, flame-grilled and slow cooking methods.

Guest speakers, product launches, award presentations or your favourite entertainers can be

seamlessly woven into the fabric of the evening by our cultural exponent, Jamus Webster and the venue’s broader whānau. Webster is the Director of Cultural Performance, Te Pā Tū, and Director of Maori Performing Arts at Rotorua Boys High School.

Tū Te Ihi extends across winter, from June to October and can be booked exclusively for MICE groups.

From October, Tū Te Rā, our summer harvest celebration begins. Also aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar -Tū Te Rā celebrates abundant summer kai, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. MICE event exclusivity is also possible.