Footprints Waipoua Must Do Activities
To book a Twilight Encounter please 'click' the Book Now button.
- Twilight Encounter
- Meet Tane at Night
- Meet Tane
- Private Tours
- Plant a Tree
- Conference Hokianga
- Marae & Forest
- Activity & Accommodation Package
- Group Coach Options
Twilight Encounter
Setting out from Hokianga by coach, your Maori guide will brief you on the protocols for your visit to the mighty Waipoua Forest. Stepping into our special world you will be walking under the same stars that guided our ancestor Kupe from legendary Hawaiiki to New Zealand. On the paths of the forest we meet trees that were already giants before his arrival and that were standing before the birth of Christ.
You will experience the affinity that early Maori had with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they hold for the giants still growing there. Learn of the rich bird life and other fauna that inhabits the forest and witness the transitions of life and the day turning into the night.
Your Maori guides will relate stories and legends of the forest, of its gods, and other spiritual inhabitants. They will greet the giant trees with spine-tingling waiata (sacred chants). You will learn how Maori used plants for medicinal purposes.
As night falls, the shyest creatures of the forest awaken and begin to go about their work. You may encounter insects like weta, nocturnal birds, eels, fresh-water lobsters or the magnificent but slightly chilling giant carnivorous 'kauri' snail. Deep in the forest among the towering trees and surrounded by the sounds of the nocturnal creatures awakening, you will meet Te Matua Ngahere - 'The Father of the Forest'. At between 2,500 and 3,000 years old he is the oldest known kauri tree in the world. Your guide will greet this giant as an old friend.
The highlight of the tour will be your meeting with 'The Lord of the Forest' - the giant Tane Mahuta! Your guide will formally greet the silent giant and then suddenly you stand dwarfed before his Lordship as the darkness closes in. His gnarled ancient limbs seem to grasp at the stars and the forest is silent but for the dim chatter of its night creatures.
At the conclusion of this unique encounter you will be returned to your accommodation in the Hokianga.
Tour duration: 4 hours (departs 6.00pm October-March and 5.00pm April-October)
Adult: $95.00.
Child (5-12): $35.00 (not recommended for children under 5).
Minimum number of guests: 2.
(Rates valid to 30 September 2013)
Meet Tane at Night
For those with minimal time available and/or families with young children this 1½ hour shortened version of the Twilight Encounter tour has been developed to still allow the viewing of this majestic environment and the largest kauri tree in the world at a time most people including locals haven't - night. This is 1½ hour 'Experience of a Lifetime' not to be missed.
Tour duration: 1½ hours (departs 8.30pm October-March and 7.30pm April-October).
Adult: $70.00.
Child (5-12): $35.00.
Minimum number of guests: 2.
(Rates valid to 30 September 2013)
Meet Tane
This day tour for groups (minimum 15 people) is designed to make your trip into the forest a more memorable and educational experience. Meet one of our local guides at the Tane Mahuta car park in the Waipoua forest for an interactive interpretation of the importance of this tree, Tane Mahuta ('The Lord of the Forest') to both the natural environment and the Maori people. Tour duration is 40 minutes long. Prior arrangement for this option including a meeting time must be made with the Footprints Waipoua office.
Tour duration: 40 minutes.
Adult / Child: $25.00.
Minimum number of guests: 15.
(Rates valid to 30 September 2013)
Private Tours
For small groups or individuals enjoy your own personal guide and day or night experience of between one hour and up to 5 hours of the wondrous Waipoua Forest.
Please Contact Us for details, prices etc.
Plant a Tree
In association with the Te Roroa Iwi (local Maori in the Waipoua Forest) we can organsie an opportunity for you to engage with Oranga Whenua. Oranga Whenua is an ecological strategy to protect, share and restore traditional lands of the Waipoua forest. Home to New Zealand's first public forest conservation campaign and a birthplace of restoration initiatives. Home to the worlds largest rainforest trees Oranga Whenua invites interested parties to contribute to the preservation of this unique environment by planting a tree/s and ensuring that a legacy is left for future generations to treasure.
Please Contact Us for details, prices etc.
Conference Hokianga
Footprints Waipoua delivers in association with the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga a cultural component for conference groups incorporating the many stunningly beautiful natural environments that encompass the area, the Waipoua Forest being a compulsory component.
Please Contact Us for details, prices etc.
Marae & Forest
Let the spiritual place of Hokianga immerse school groups in this educational and activity based experience enjoying the hospitality of local Maori while staying at one of the local Marae (traditional meeting place). That evening join our 'Twilight Encounter' experience. The next day participate in one of the many local activities including Crossings Hokianga or just relax. Whatever the case enjoy the stunning natural beauty and hospitality that is Hokianga.
Please Contact Us for details, prices etc.
Activity & Acommodation Packages
Please Contact Us for current package prices with the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga and / or the Opononi Resort Hotel.
Group Coach Options
Footprints Waipoua are able to provide full coach tour options for any special groups. We have experience in catering to the cruise ship markets, educational groups and independent travel group travel markets.
Activities:
Footprints Waipoua are able to offer unique guided forest tour options along with the full charter of a purpose built vessel for a Hokianga Harbour cruise.
Meals and accommodation:
Footprints Waipoua are able to provide meals at one of our many associates locations, along with luxury accommodation to suit all levels of requirements.
Further information:
Contact Us today and we will be happy to provide you with some of our current options.