http://www.aboutnewzealand.com/itineraries/st-nzd19-maori-legends-tour-of-new-zealand/ The blowing of the Putatara (conch) starts your evening. The conch was used as a form of communication over great distances to inform of intruders or visitors. Your guide will explain the night ahead, with stories that have been passed down through the generations. Come face to face with the wildlife. The guide will explain the relationship between Maori, wildlife and conservation. Be guided through and welcomed onto the Pa (village) with a powerful challenge by their fearsome warrior. The Wero or Challenge is where the warrior or most skilled warrior displays a number of movements to distinguish the intentions of the visiting parties. (Do you come in peace or to fight?) This will be confirmed by the picking up of the TAKE laid by the warrior for the chief of the visitors. Once this gift has been accepted visitors will be allowed to enter onto the next stage. Inside the village the chief will speak words of welcome to the visitors and thank the chief of the visitors for accepting the challenge to come in peace. The pressing of noses (hongi) is the final part of the welcome process this is the sharing of life between the two parties and must be done between the two chiefs. The Village: Here your guide will discuss the lifestyles, including some of the hunting techniques, of the Maori people. The village is a papa-kainga or hunting village. There were around 1,400 of these types of sites in and around the pre-European Canterbury region. The hunting and capturing of bird species was a specialised skill with different types of birds serving different needs. The easiest birds to hunt for food were the flightless kiwi, weka and the large moa which were trapped with snares. Flax was the most important fibre to Maori as it was used to bind buildings & boats, for clothing, hunting snares, rope & fishing nets. One of the traditional uses for musical instruments was to duplicate communication with the birds to trick the bird into a trap. A Performance: Haka (war dance) the haka is a preparation for war. This is a dance usually for men however there are some haka where women participate, the first haka of the evening will be one such haka. Poi dance (swinging ball): The poi was a flax ball commonly used to store food for long distance journeys. Other uses included training for warfare where the balls use was to assist with the strengthening of elbow and wrist joints to aid in greater flexibly for the heavy short and long club weapons Waiata ringa (action songs with a hand display) spoke about events and family members of great mana (prestige). It also helped to record and preserve historical events. Hangi Meal: After the performance you will move into the Restaurant where you will be served a 4 course dinner with Hangi cooked mains. Video Credit: ReserveGroup About New Zealand. Experts in planning custom vacations to New Zealand, Australia & the South Pacific. We're Aussies! Toll Free 1-888-359-2877 (USA)

• published: 30 Apr 2014
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