Culture
23 September 2026
Māori experiences In Christchurch and beyond
Paddle on a traditional waka, learn about Māori astronomy or discover 600-year-old rock drawings. No matter how you do it, now’s the time to explore these Māori experiences right here in Christchurch & Canterbury.
What are the best Māori experiences in Christchurch & wider Canterbury?
Māori culture is woven throughout Ōtautahi Christchurch and Canterbury's landscapes, stories and communities.
From paddling a traditional waka and joining guided cultural tours to discovering ancient rock art and significant heritage sites, these experiences offer meaningful opportunities to connect with the history, traditions and living culture of Māori in Waitaha Canterbury.
Waka on the Avon, Christchurch
Travel 180 years back in time as you paddle along the Ōtākaro Avon River in a hand-crafted waka.
As told by Waka on Avon, you’ll hear stories of how the boats were used for transport and trade, and how they worked alongside European settlers to build the city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Āmiki Tours, Christchurch
An Āmiki Tour combines Christchurch’s Māori and early settler heritage with some of the city’s most delicious local fare.
In between courses, your passionate guides will take you to Ōtautahi’s iconic landmarks and hidden historical gems, while weaving in the stories of their ancestors who settled here from the very beginning.
You’ll also learn basic te reo Māori along the way!
Te Ana Māori Rock Art, Timaru
Discover New Zealand’s first artworks with descendants of the people who carved and painted them hundreds of years ago.
Te Ana is recognised as a Tohu Whenua — one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most significant heritage experiences.
Join local Ngāi Tahu guides as you tour Te Ana, an immersive cultural centre that has one of the country’s most significant collections of ancient Māori rock art!
The walls and ceilings of Canterbury’s limestone caves provided the perfect medium for rock art due to the smooth, pale surfaces.
Kaikōura Art Trail
A 2.5-hour drive north of Christchurch, you'll find Kaikōura.
Take a break at a safe stopping area along State Highway 1’s beautiful coastline and marvel at more than 20 culturally significant artworks telling the story of the seaside town.
The Kaikōura Art Trail is also recognised as a Tohu Whenua, where you can expect vapour-blasted murals, pouwhenua and tekoteko (carved pillars), laser cut steel art and information panels representing Kaikōura’s unique connection to the area.
Māori Rock Drawings at Weka Pass Historic Reserve, Hurunui
An hour's drive north of Christchurch you'll find the small community of Waikari.
Discover the Weka Pass Historic Reserve, which leads to a limestone shelter used by Māori between 600 and 1000 years ago!
The large, overhanging shelter served as a temporary campsite, while its walls turned into a canvas for Māori staying overnight.
Using charcoal from their fires and kōkōwai (red ochre), they drew human figures and animals, which you can still see on the rock walls today.
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