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Twilight Encounter

Tour duration: 4 hours (departs 6.00pm October-March and 5.00pm April-October)

Footprints Waipoua

Our Tours

Our Most Popular Package

Experience the affinity that Māori have with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they have for these sentinels who have stood silently witnessing the passing of time.


Your guide will share thought-provoking information, humorous banter, stories and legends before respectfully greeting the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world with spine-tingling chants and song. 


Witness the day transition to night and by default feel your senses become hauntingly enhanced. 


Be Fascinated by the work of Mother Nature when visiting the Four Sisters.

Be Mesmerised by Te Matua Ngāhere -The Father of the Forest; who at 3,000 years is the oldest giant. 

Be Enchanted by the largest giant, Tane Mahuta, a national icon.


Just like these giant kauri trees the memories you seize are timeless treasures.


Experience the affinity that Māori have with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they have for these sentinels who have stood silently witnessing the passing of time.


Your guide will share thought-provoking information, humorous banter, stories and legends before respectfully greeting the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world with spine-tingling chants and song. 


Witness the day transition to night and by default feel your senses become hauntingly enhanced. 


Be Fascinated by the work of Mother Nature when visiting the Four Sisters.

Be Mesmerised by Te Matua Ngāhere -The Father of the Forest; who at 3,000 years is the oldest giant. 

Be Enchanted by the largest giant, Tane Mahuta, a national icon.


Just like these giant kauri trees the memories you seize are timeless treasures.


Pricing


Tour duration: 4 hours (departs 6.00pm October-March and 5.00pm April-October)


Adult: $95.00.


Child (5-15): $35.00 (not recommended for children under 5).


Minimum number of guests: 2.
(Rates valid to 30 September 2018)

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Daylight Encounter

Tour duration: 3.5 hours (departs Copthorne Hokianga 1.00pm)

Full Daytime Experience

Join a friendly local Māori guide for your journey to the rich eco-system otherwise known as the Waipoua Forest. 


As we enter the forest you step into a special world; a world of giants that have stood silently witnessing the centuries and the many feats of mankind.


You will learn about the indigenous use of plants and be amazed at the life cycle of a kauri giant.


Your tour will start with a karakia (prayer) seeking permission from Tāne Mahuta (the Māori God of the Forest) to enter his domain and to ensure that a safe and enjoyable experience is endured. Under the branches of this 2000-year- old living treasure our guides will share the Māori creation story - the separation of Sky Father and Mother Earth.


Final words and song are offered before the curtain is drawn on an experience of a lifetime


“We are only said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures”.



Join a friendly local Māori guide for your journey to the rich eco-system otherwise known as the Waipoua Forest. 


As we enter the forest you step into a special world; a world of giants that have stood silently witnessing the centuries and the many feats of mankind.


You will learn about the indigenous use of plants and be amazed at the life cycle of a kauri giant.


Your tour will start with a karakia (prayer) seeking permission from Tāne Mahuta (the Māori God of the Forest) to enter his domain and to ensure that a safe and enjoyable experience is endured. Under the branches of this 2000-year- old living treasure our guides will share the Māori creation story - the separation of Sky Father and Mother Earth.


Final words and song are offered before the curtain is drawn on an experience of a lifetime


“We are only said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures”.


Details


Tour duration: 3.5 hours (departs Copthorne Hokianga 1.00pm)


Adult: $80.00.


Child (5-15): $35.00 (not recommended for children under 5).


Minimum number of guests: 2.


Family Package (2 adults + 2 children): $195.00 (2nd child joins free).
(Rates valid to 30 September 2018)

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Meet Tane at Night

Tour duration: 1½ hours (departs 8.30pm October-March and 7.30pm April-October).

Night Time Family Friendly Experience

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.

Details


Tour duration: 1½ hours (departs 8.30pm October-March and 7.30pm April-October).


Adult: $70.00.


Child (5-15): $35.00.


Minimum number of guests: 15.
(Rates valid to 30 September 2018)

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Meet Tane

Day Tours

In a Hurry?

This day tour for groups (minimum 5 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.

Details


Tour duration: 40 minutes.

 

Adult / Child: $25.00.

 

Minimum number of guests: 15.

(Rates valid to 30 September 2018)

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.

Activity & Accomodation Package

Please contact us for current package prices with the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga.

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.

 

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.

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.

​Testimonials​​​​


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We were lucky enough to take the nighttime walk with Merepaea and it was phenomenal listening to her explain the Maori history and culture and her beautiful chants and prayers. The trees are incredible and awe inspiring. This is a must do for anyone visiting the northern island of New Zealand.

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Our guide, Billy Boy, created an unforgettable experience. His chants leading up to the great trees was spine-tingling.

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We had an amazing experience at Tane Mahuta with Bill, our wonderful guide. He made our visit truly an experience to remember. The beautiful Maori greeting, the flute and the karekia were incredible. Plus the knowledge he showed of the ancient and beautiful kauri was fantastic and we all learned a lot. We all felt very insignificant next to the King of the Forest. Thank you for a wonderful tour.

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Cancellation Policy

Up to 48 hours prior:  No penalty

24 hours prior:             50% charge will be incurred

On the Day:                 100% charge will be incurred


Cancellation due to weather or illness may incur a cancellation fee (at operator discretion).

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Phone number

+64 9 405 8207

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