Profile
straw64
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
The Kauri Museum
Unfortunately ...
this Museum is not good. If you are into hisotry - okay, but the Museum is rather boring.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
People ...
PLEASE! This has to be the saddest example of New Zealand Tourism ... a 'fake Geyser' with 'SOAP-SUDS'!! Honestly, for the whole 3 minutes - a controlled Geothermal Geyser captivates the audiences attention ... FOR WHAT. Save your money and see many geysers at 'Kairau Park' behind the Rotorua Hospital ... it's FREE! Can one believe that this has been QUALMARKED - NZ's Accredited label of Quality???
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Whakarewarewa The Living Maori Village
For those that want to see 'authenticity'and 'Geo-thermal' activity, then 'Whaka'is the place to go.
It is half the price of Te Puia and is the only "Real living Maori Village" in the country. Sure ... the 'Pohutu Geyser'is a bit further away than at Te Puia, HOW CLOSE DO YOU WANT TO BE?, What visitors need to be aware of, is that Te Puia BELONGED to this tribe! The rest you can work out yourself! The guides are accommodating and your admission fee goes back to the Village and not to the government ... worth a look.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Mitai Maori Village
Mitai ...
the best Maori Cultural Show in New Zealand. I have seen most of them, and though I agree this has progressed into your normal "touristy" activity, it is still the best around. The owner Wetini Mitai has the 'mana' far and beyond what most other shows are trying to acheive. Also, you won't get a better "Hangi" anywhere else in New Zealand.Its good to see that the "Mitai" family is involved, which goes a long way to ensuring its visitors of "Family engagement" and sustainability.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Agrodome
Our tour group walked out after 15 minutes of the hour long show!
... we figured that we were the sheep and the real sheep were looking at us - the tourists. This type of activity is too 'touristy' and with 300 other people, forget it! The acoustics are bad and you can't hear what they are saying.
Apologies that you experienced poor acoustics during your Farm Show. We have recently upgraded our sound system to improve this experience for our customers :)
Ashley Aitken
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Whale Watch Kaikoura
Hmmmm ...
maybe a bit overated ... actually, it is overated, too expensive and "commercialised", one thing though, if you don't see a whale, at least you get your money back pronto!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Te Puia Geothermal Park
This has to be New Zealand's "Premier Plastic Maori Experience"!!
Owned by the New Zealand Government, it is sad that Maori Culture has allowed itself to be "tokened" and "showcased" to visitors from overseas as mere "natives" enjoyed by foreigners to these shores. One would question how Maori elders allowed this to happen ... or did they have a choice?? The cost is a clear result of "commercialism" of Cultural Heritage and how this landmark has been "swallowed" by greed and through those that support this type of "Tourist" trap.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga ▷
Footprints Waipoua
Brilliant Eco-Tourism adventure.
The guides are tremendous with the stories and singing they perform for you. Would recommend to anyone looking for the "Deep spiritual interaction" between Nature and the the people. Footprints does this very well. Very imformative and mind-boggling.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys
The Waka tour and visit to the Island by Hone Mihaka was regarded by our tour group as "THE HIGHLIGHT" and "BEST" activity of all during our 14 Day North & South Island tour.
The 'stories' of Maori/European days, the Region and Tribal conflicts was brilliant. Then to be welcomed to his family and given a "Highly spiritual and stirring" introduction to the "World of Maori" left many of our party in tears. This truly was what we were after ... interaction and dialogue with "Native New Zealanders" ... Awesome to say the least, a genuine and real-life encounter ... AMAZING!
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Ko Tane The Maori Experience
This was a dissapointing experience, not in the class or anywhere near the North Island Cultural attractions.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Part of what you need to see when you're in the Bay of Islands.
Take a guided tour to be explained the history and heritage of the Nation. Worth doing, but a bit overpriced!
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaikohe ▷
Ngawha Springs
Rotorua Thermal springs eat your heart out!
... Ngawha Springs is the real deal ... authentic, natural and the 'real deal'
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of New Zealand
A must see and do activity whenever you're in Wellington
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
The Rock Adventure Cruise
Too expensive ...
this activity should advertise that its for Back Packers and not the general tourism industry. Some activities are good, but otherwise the boat is in need of re-furbishment. Definitely for a low-budget visitor used to "roughing" it.
We are very sorry you didn't find the cruise good value. We aim our marketing at an active traveler who wants to get out there, have real Kiwi experiences & meet other like minded people. The boat itself is unique as it's a converted car ferry. We see this as an example of the Kiwi ingenuity you see all across NZ. We are constantly trying to improve and realise we are not perfect and would love to hear any recommendations to help us achieve this. Please feel free to email. Safe Travels, Sarah
Jonny Greener
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
National Kiwi Hatchery
Another Nature Park ...
great if you need to kill an hour in Rotorua while waiting for something better to happen. Is on the "verge" of becoming "plastic". Is under construction and caters more for "Mass Bus Coaches". The gift shop sells mass imported souvenirs manufactured off-shore, mainly Asia which would imply that cheap labour is been exploited.
Not bad ... You get to see some Kiwi's, after all that is why you would visit, however, the commentary is a 'bit long' on the point to being 'boring'. Certainly see more of the Kiwi birds at the Otorohonga Kiwi House for nearly half the price ... and you don't have to be 'quiet'?
Sorry for any inconvenience due to construction. We are adding a lake and picnic area into the park. This has meant the temporary relocation of our coachpark to the front of our building. We do stock a wide range of NZ made products in our gift shop.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Te Puke ▷
Kiwi360
What can you say!
Apart from the Kiwi Vines, this is a "Souvenir Shop". The Kiwifruit tour is long and boring, as well as being overpriced. If you're looking to kill half an hour on your way to Rotorua from Tauranga, then consider using the WC here.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Whanganui River ▷
Spirit of the River Jet
This Jet Boat is definitely the best excursion on the Whanganui river, and as an agent I have experienced three of the operators that provide Jet Boat tours in this region.
Brett is the kind of operator who delivers the most authentic and exotic experience. He displays typical Maori humour and gives his client a sense of safety, comfortability. Brilliant interpretation and deserves the accolades that he receives. I recommend this operator to all looking for a quality journey. Well worth it!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Rotorua Bungy
Okay, its not Queenstown but it does the job.
Affordable and gives the same "hype" ... worth a look and there are other fun things to do here as well - 'Swoop' & 'Jet Boat', would rather trade this for the Agrodome anyday.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Te Pā Tū Maori Cultural Experience
... I guess the previous reviews give an accurate indication of the quality!
Yes it is fake, Yes it is exploitation of the Maori Culture, Yes it is touristy ... Most Cultural Shows in Rotorua are! There are "better Touristy Cultural performances" in Rotorua!!