The Story

The Beginning of an Evening to Remember

Your Pohutu Cultural Experience begins in the foyer of Holiday Inn Rotorua where your hostess will greet you in the traditional Maori custom of the POWHIRI or formal welcome. The Powhiri is a powerful experience made even more powerful by the presence of a TOA, or Maori Warrior.

Enjoy a Drink and Appetiser

You will be escorted pre-show into the spectacular Pohutu Cultural Theatre, experiencing both modern and traditional pieces of Maori art along the way. Here you will be welcome to take some light refreshment before the performance begins. Make your selection from authentic contemporary and classic Maori delicacies, all immaculately prepared by our team of experienced chefs, and matched with a full list of New Zealand wines.

Get Comfortable, the Show is About to Begin

The customary sounds of the KOAUAU (flute) and the conch shell call you to attention. As the lights dim and anticipation rises, the booming chant of the PATERE, sweet sounds of the WAIATA A RINGA (action song), and the elegance and beauty of the POI begin the evenings performance.

An Evening to Remember

From here let your mind drift along with the rhythm, song and movement of our cultural performers. From the brute force of the HAKA - to the moving and heartbreaking strains of POKAREKARE ANA, a love song that has delighted for generations, the show ebbs and flows through moments of exceptional beauty, displays of incredible dexterity and timing and periods of sheer power and passion. Of course you will also dine on world-class contemporary Maori cuisine - but that's a story all of it's own.

The HANGI is a traditional Maori form of pit cooking using red-hot volcanic rocks and steam. Rocks are heated on a fire and then placed in pit where baskets of fresh meats and vegetables are added and covered with cloth before being covered in earth. This traps the steam and heat in the pit and slowly cooks the food for a delicious flavour. Here in Rotorua the method is different, but no less traditional.

Local Maori have always harnessed the geo-thermal power of the area for cooking and our steam-pit hangi is a reflection of this history. Every evening we prepare a feast - pork, chicken and vegetables are smoked to produce a contemporary Maori Feast, served with roasted lamb, venison, fresh vegetables and other delicacies.
Plus you will also have the opportunity to select amazing seafood from our separate buffet. Fresh and delicious, this KAI MOANA is reason enough to attend. You can  make selections from a sumptuous range of seafood and locally inspired dishes. Simply delicious.