Experience the Heart and Soul of Te Ao Māori
Some experiences transcend typical tourism – they become genuine connections that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Tu Tika Tours offers exactly this kind of transformative journey, inviting you to step off the well-worn tourist trail and into an authentic, deeply personal encounter with Māori culture, guided by passionate local hosts Mervyn and Rangimarie Harding.
Tu Tika means “Stand True,” and it perfectly captures the integrity and authenticity that defines every moment with this remarkable couple. This isn’t about performing culture for visitors – it’s about welcoming you into their world, their whānau (family), and sharing the stories, traditions, and connections that make Northland so spiritually significant to Māori people. From the moment you’re greeted with a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, accompanied by the warm sounds of ukulele, you’ll feel less like a tourist and more like an honoured guest.
The tours weave together Whangarei’s stunning natural beauty with profound cultural insights. You might find yourself at the magnificent Whangarei Falls, learning about the deep ancestral connections between Māori and the natural world. Walking through native forest, you’ll discover the sacred significance of the mighty kauri tree and other taonga (treasures) of the land. Hands-on cultural activities, like learning to weave flax into flowers that you’ll gift as a symbol of friendship, bring traditions to life in meaningful ways.
Throughout your time together, Mervyn and Rangimarie share stories spanning from ancient ancestral beginnings to contemporary Māori life, all while teaching you Māori words and songs – the same ones local children learn. You might even enjoy a delicious fish and chips lunch by the striking Te Matau A Pohe bridge, continuing your conversation as the lift bridge opens before you.
What makes Tu Tika Tours truly special is the concept of whakawhanaungatanga – building lasting relationships through shared experiences. By day’s end, you won’t just have learned about Māori culture; you’ll have formed genuine connections that feel like family. It’s this warmth, knowledge, and authenticity that has guests consistently rating their experience as a highlight of their entire New Zealand journey.
