Welcome to Te Puia – The NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a living legacy of people, culture and place. Located in the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, with its gushing waters and steaming vents, Te Puia is a place of powerful energies and natural beauty. People have been living here for almost 700 years.

Te Puia Highlights:

Te Wānanga Whakairo – The Carving School
In this school, the prestigious art of carving is taught, passed on to young trainees under the skilled guidance of graduate and master carvers. View carvers as they carry out their practical training.

Te Rito – The Weaving School
Māori devised a method of producing fine thread from flax fibre from which they wove garments and other items of extraordinary beauty. See our students learn the art and skills of traditional weaving.

Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
This special place, home to Te Arawa people, is unique. The 30-metre (100-foot) Pohutu geyser erupts up to 20 times each day. Hot springs, boiling sulphurous pools, silica terraces and bubbling mud pools are among the natural wonders.

Guided Tours
Tours depart on the hour every hour throughout the day.

Te Po – Indigenous Evening Experience
Te Pō is a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Māori kai (indigenous food).

Opening hours: Summer daily 8am – 6pm, winter daily 8am – 5pm.