Where do I go for a great hangi in Christchurch?
 

More specifically, I would love to see a really good performance of a Haka, and I'm assuming this would be performed at a hangi.

I did attend a perfomance in Rotorua a few years back, and was rather dissappointed, because it looked like they were just going through the motions, and showed very little enthusiasm.

If this is typical of Maori shows, I'm willing to skip it.

I don't know which Hangi you attended at Rotorua, we last visited the one put on at Te Tawa Ngahere Pa by the Tamki brothers. We thought it was really good and reasonably authentic (not that we are any great authorities!). It is clear though, that Maori hangis and dance performances vary widely in authenticity and quality.

In Christchurch we went to the Ko T?ne hangi and performance, in the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. I thought the food was great and the performance good (not as good as the Tamaki brothers).

I now try to avoid these sorts of things, because invariably I am chosen by the dancers to participate, no doubt owing to my substantial height and girth. My wife has a series of odd pictures of me gyrating with dancers throughout the S Pacific.

Some typos there: in Rotorua, we went to the Tamaki brothers' hangi. The handi in Christchurch is called Ko Tane.

Thanks Alf. I share your feelings about 'participating' in cultural shows :)

Anyone have any input on 'Maori Tours Kaikoura' ?

Hi Femi,

I've seen more cultural shows than you can imagine, and I have to say that they are pretty much uniform and cookie cutter in nature, appealing to the mass audience.

I too, went to the Tamaki Bros. operation because it's on almost every tour operator itinerary, so I wanted to check it out. It was so hokey and the food was terrible (just my opinion, btw).

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist

Melodie, I also recall the food being not that good.

I had planned to skip the event anyway, but then I saw a video of the All Blacks performing their haka, and had renewed hopes of seeing one performed on that level. Also liked the versions I've seen in movies (rather naive of me I suppose), but as I said earlier, I was quite dissappointed in Rotorua, and would rather not go through a repeat of that.

I went to the Maori show at Willowbank, and definitely enjoyed it more than my prior experience.

I also enjoyed the Willowbank night tour as part of the package.