Reviews of WanaHaka Wine Tours & Maori Culture. (Travel Agency) in Wānaka (Otago).

WanaHaka Wine Tours & Maori Culture

185 Reviews

60 Comments

Travel Agency

Tour operator

103 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

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Information of WanaHaka Wine Tours & Maori Culture, Travel Agency in Wānaka (Otago)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

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Reviews of WanaHaka Wine Tours & Maori Culture

C.

WanaHaka was easily my best wine tour experience to date. Thoroughly enjoyed both the choices of vineyards and the host Joe’s excellent knowledge of Māori history/connection to the whenua in the South Island. Joe’s fun, personable and flexible nature made the tour extra special and catered to the individual needs of our family. I would recommend WanaHaka to anyone who loves good wine, good company, and learning more about Aotearoa and Māori culture.

C. V. O.

We were lucky enough to book Joe for our Christmas function aka "end of year do". We had a ball! As well as a fun afternoon we learnt a lot about the origin of Maori in the area - a harsh environment for travelling parties. The vineyards we toured were very welcoming and accommodating and fair to say we tasted a great variety of local wines. Last comment _ JOE we love your legs!

J. S.

We had a large group and we all thoroughly the whakatau traditional welcome experience in Queenstown. Joe passionately explained the meanings behind everything he did and we all walked away feeling we learnt alot and had a great time doing it. Joe performed 2 haka and we were amazed at the stories and message that went with them. All our group found Joe really likeable and easy to talk to. If you want a genuine Māori experience and to feel well looked after I'd recommend Wanahaka. 👌

L. G.

Amazing day out with Joe! I had a group of uni students visiting from abroad on a study tour and was looking for a more personalised experience than what large tour companies typically offer. Joe was accommodating in customising a tour that suited our needs and schedule. The tour exceeded my expectations, and I’ll definitely be bringing around my next visitors for a day with Joe. The highlight was the cultural experience at the Queenstown waterfront where Joe performed a welcome ceremony and a beautiful Haka. Of all of the Maori cultural performances I have attended, this one was the most moving and the most informative because Joe explained the meaning, history, and stories behind the movements and words. Throughout the rest of the tour we sampled delicious wines at two cosy tasting rooms, had yummy kiwi pies for lunch, and visited a local alpaca farm on a scenic property. Joe squeezed a lot of fun and learning into our day. Spending time with such a knowledgeable local and kind person was a total pleasure for our group. Joe is doing what he loves and you can feel that. Thanks, Joe, for going above and beyond to give my students an unforgettable day!

T. L.

I just want to start by saying this entire experience was AMAZING and worth EVERY penny. Joe was an amazing host and has great charisma. You truly feel like he cares about his guests and wants to get to know them. He is enthusiastic about the tours, the locations, and most importantly his Maori culture. You start with the traditional Hongi which connects you to Joe and the land. Then as you go on your tour, he covers the Maori footprint. He is an excellent story teller and you get a truly comprehensive understanding of the origins of Aotearoa and its people. He focuses on the South Island and the stories there as it is his heritage. The wineries themselves are brilliant. There are no bad wines and the sommeliers there are truly passionate about their craft and the vintages being served. Plus, Joe has built a great relationship with them and you can tell that he has chosen these places because of their warmth, their respect of the land, and their generosity. Joe's connection to these wineries allows guests to get some tastings that go a bit above and beyond what you would get normally if you were to just walk in; some special reserves might be open (wink). Between each winery, we had great banter with Joe and connected with him on a more personal level. He's a great man who cares a lot about his land and his culture. You can't go wrong by going on this tour. You're missing out if you don't take the chance to go with Joe! I left the tour feeling bonded with Joe and the Maori culture. I have a deeper respect and understanding of the land and its people. Great tour, I might just do it again if I bring other folks over.

I.

Decent investment of your money if you love wine and interested in Maori history. The host is very flexible with pick up and drop off, if you're around Wanaka.

M. S.

My husband and I were very fortunate to have Joe Waide from WanaHaka perform a Whakatau for our wedding in Queenstown, this entailed a beautiful Whaikorero (opening greeting), Haka (traditional maori war dance) and hongi (greeting). I found Joes number via the WanaHaka website and since the first call he made the whole process so personal and seamless. Joe’s performance was strong, powerful and deeply moving. I am a kiwi with Maori ancestry but husband is Australian as are his parents thus they had no idea what to expect with having a maori ceremony proceeding the celebrants ceremony, needless to say they and my other guests were completely blown way with the energy Joe brought to his performance. Joe is an absolute gentleman and so accommodating, he explains everything in thorough detail and personalises his performance to suit your needs. I really cannot recommend Joe highly enough, especially if you are looking for a beautiful “kiwi” edge to your wedding or to any function for that matter. Thanks again Joe, you bloody legend! x

J. W.

I was thrilled to attend this WanaHaka wine tour through the Bannockburn and Cromwell wineries with my friends and work colleagues. The transport was comfortable and air-conditioned, the service outstanding and the history and humour all day, extremely memorable. We were fortunate to taste a range of wines in the tour and indulged in a large cheese and antipasto platter at our last winery. Here our host performed a local Wanaka haka and a known haka performed throughout New Zealand; it was an incredible performance. I was grateful to spend this time in such an idyllic setting, with wonderful local people, sampling local vintage.

T.

What an amazing tour and service for the price! This was totally worth the money and such an amazing cultural and tasting experience. Would 100% recommend this tour and Joe. Please please take the time to do this, you’ll get to learn a lot about the story of the region and taste some amazing wines.

L. M.

Joe is such a gem. He's friendly and knowledgeable, and great fun on the tour. We had a great time with him, learned a lot and not to mention the delicious wine tastings! It's a great half day activity to do with a partner or some friends. We would recommend Wanahaka wine tour to anyone! Thanks Joe!

J. V.

Best wine tour ever! Very much personalised and great camaraderie. Joe has excellent knowledge of the Maori history and culture and was able to enrich the basic info I have. He was also very accommodating and made sure we squeezed every drop of our wine tour! The vineyards we visited were world-class and the cheese platter we had while enjoying the breathtaking view was sumptuous. I recommend anyone staying in Wanaka to make sure you book a tour with Joe!

A. C.

Joe is truly one of a kind - so passionate, welcoming, and generous with his knowledge of the Māori culture. We had the best time getting to know him (we became fast friends!) and the history of his family - plus, the wines and everyone we met along the way were wonderful. We also happened to be traveling to Wanaka on the next leg of our trip, which is where Joe lives, so he also gave spot-on recommendations for that area and we ended up meeting up with him while there as well! He even invited us to watch a traditional Maori welcome ceremony a couple days later that he was performing for another occasion. I cannot recommend strongly enough - 10 out of 10 would wine taste with Joe again!

M. T.

What a fabulous tour! Joe is so friendly and knowledgeable, and the intimate feel of a small group experience was relaxed and fun. I learned a lot about the history and culture of NZ and the Maori people. Joe performed a Haka and explained the words and movements, and invaluable experience. Joe knows a lot about the wines of the region and took us to some top notch wineries. It was nice to get to know the others who came along as we tasted wines and lovely cheeses and drove through the amazing mountain scenery. Highly recommended.

H. L.

Joe is such an incredible, genuine, passionate human! He combined presence, Maori history, and wine into a synergistic experience that I would highly recommend to everyone. You feel a part of the history as you wind through the beautiful landscapes between gorgeous wine tasting and listening to stories of the land.

J. W.

Joe was a fantastic host, with an awesome personally & great banter. Joe had amazing knowledge of the region & the history of the area. The winerys we went to had delicious wines with knowledgeable hosts & we loved every minute of our tour. Tino pai Joe xx

B. C.

Joe is the most gorgeous, sincere, well humoured and insightful hosts I’ve ever had in all my years of travelling. He has a strong connection to everyone who works in the cellar doors you visit - he and his guests are treated to a big smile and they usually slip a few special “reserve” wines in each tasting. After spending a few days in NZ, we were delighted to hear more about the Maori culture he is so proud of and it was lovely to spend some time with great people from other countries. Would absolutely recommend these lovely small-group tours.

J. M.

Joe is an absolute gem of a human being and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend with him and the others on this amazing wine tour. Joe makes sure to connect you to the local culture and bring you in to the family of the Maori culture of New Zealand. He has such a zest and passion for his culture and life in general. One can honestly not stop smiling while on this tour and it’s not just because of the delicious wines. Joe knew the answer to each and every question I had while making me feel at home in New Zealand. Please do yourself a favor and take this tour. It’s phenomenal. When I return to Wanaka with friends and family, I will definitely be treating them to this experience. As a side note, the wineries are also fantastic. The wines were spectacular and some of my favorites I have ever tasted. It’s extremely unique to have wines that are irrigated via glacial waters in incredible micro climates. I came home with several bottles. Book this tour now:)

s. s.

“We had a very enjoyable afternoon of wine tasting at 3 lovely wineries. But what made this experience special was Joe’s knowledge of the Maori history in this part of New Zealand. We learned a lot about Maori culture and history. Joe is very knowledgeable, friendly and a good storyteller.”

A. C.

Great experience. Very professional, friendly and explained Maori protocol in a way that really helped us to understand its purpose and meaning. Highly recommend to anyone - kiwis and overseas visitors alike.

J. M.

We had a great time on our wine tour with Joe! He was a very friendly guy and taught us a lot about the Maori Culture and founding history of New Zealand. Would definitely recommend this tour to friends. Thanks again Joe

K. L.

We were so lucky to be hosted by Joe and his lovely wife Joanne. They are both amazingly friendly and with their Māori connection to the land it was a truly unique experience. Joe's laugh is infectious and it was a very happy day. I cant speak highly enough of their knowledge of the area and the special wineries they selected for us. I know my wine and the tastings of these new world vintages was unique and informative. All the best and thanks.

H. F.

I recently went on a WanaHaka wine tour, lead by the wonderful Joe, with eight of my friends. We were fortunate enough to visit three beautiful wineries in Wanaka. The experience was one of the highlights of my trip. Joe is such a kind, generous man and his love for Maori culture and the region was evident throughout the day. I would really recommend this experience to anyone interested in exploring Wanaka's beauty and culture. Thank you again Joe for the great experience!

H. S.

Joe was an absolute delight on our Original Wine Tour. We went above and beyond, sharing his Maori culture and performing the haka for us. He has a real passion for the local businesses and puts love in everything he does. Highly recommend!!

R. C.

We arrived to a Māori welcome by Joe and the wanaka Haka which was amazing! Joe gave us so much information about the Māori history which is the main reason we chose his tour. The wineries he took us to were all wonderful and we were able to taste many different wines! He was so wonderful and I feel like we couldn’t have picked a better guide!!

S.

If you want to learn more about Maori culture and have an authentic experience this is a must do. The performance was fantastic and a personal highlight of my trip to New Zealand. Joe is also a genuine and great guy and his demonstration and explanation of the Wero, Whakatau and Haka dance was just really cool. Also learned a lot about Maori history, culture and connection to the land. Highly recommended!

M. G.

Maori cultural and personal wine tastings at selected vineyards. We had a wonderful experience with Joe and found some excellent wines to take home. Learning about the culture from a local was so much more personal and meaningful.

j. d.

I cannot speak highly enough of this tour. Joe's love of family, his country and his culture is evident in everything he does with this tour. Not only did he and his beautiful wife Joanne go out of their way to pick us up early and extend that well past the close time, he shared knowledge of his country and his culture freely. He gifted us with some delightful wineries, some great stories and knowledge and the whole day felt like spending it with a friend. I would recommend this talk to anyone... especially to see how Joe can part the clouds and stop the rain in time for his Haka. To both Joanne and Joe whakawhetai koe ❤ Currently booking a return trip in October and definitely will be introducing my friends to Wanahaka tours.

J. S.

My Dad and I had the best day out with Joe. He taught us lots about Māori culture and the wineries we went to were some of the highlights of our trip round New Zealand. Thanks for an absolutely wonderful day out Joe, could not recommend you more.

L. H.

Joe is amazing! He is a very nice and friendly person and he got great enthusiasm for the Māori Culture. It was a wonderful morning with the Māori welcome. Highly recommend for WanaHaka Tours if you come to Wanaka!!

A. V.

What an amazing wine tour. Joe is fabulous, funny, and shares his passion and knowledge for the area. The wines were great, the locations were stunning. Definitely a must do for those traveling to Wanaka/Queenstown or even for residents who want a fun experience. I can't recommend it highly enough.

M. M.

Joe was awesome! I highly recommend anyone looking to tour a few great wineries and learn about the Maori culture to take this tour. Book early, you don’t want to miss out.

J. S.

We arranged to meet Joe at a beautiful outdoor spot in Wanaka. It was a surprise for my partner's birthday. We are both Kiwis and local so you don't have to be a tourist to do this. Joe appeared over the crest of a hill like a true Maori Warrior. Quite spectacular and not what you usually see on an early morning Saturday run! It was very powerful to get a personal powhiri. A few tears and goosebumps. Joe combined humour, knowledge and a beautiful spirituality. A very special time connecting and giving thanks to the earth and local people. Thanks Joe. :-)

K. N.

An Absolute Highlight of our Wedding Day!!! I reached out to Joe approximately 10 months before our special day in Gibbston Valley, Central Otago. Since the very first email he was absolutely amazing and super helpful. My husband comes from a Maori heritage and I really wanted to honour his ancestors on our wedding day. Joe kept everything a secret and surprised our guests and my husband with a beautiful welcome and blessing in Maori. In total Joe carried out the following: Whaikorero -opening greeting Kia Ora- Hello Whakatau - Welcome Wero - Challenge Hongi - greeting Haka - Maori Dance Mana- Prestige/ Spirit of person Kia Kaha- Stand/Be Strong Ka kite ano - Goodbye Everything was absolutely to the best possible standard! I wish that we had met Joe earlier to experience more of what WanaHaka offers! Much love, Kseniya and Travis

D. A.

I love the way Jo and Joe brings visitors such insight into New Zealand, not only into the delicious wines of the beautiful sights and wineries visited but also from the Maori and local heart of New Zealand. You will not be disappointed!!!

S. H.

Joe was amazing. we had a little hickup with the booking but he came thru in the end, so very happy with the service. Took us to 2 x wine places Rippon & Maori Point. Lovely people

R. G.

Yesterday my wife Cate, our niece Lou and I got to experience Joe’s Wanahaka tour, we are all Maori as well so to connect with him and share his local knowledge of the Deep South Isla s with us was truly special, his passion and oratory skills make this one truly spectacular tour. We learnt about the Wanaka Tree, local Maori and European history for the region while driving around to some amazing vineyards. Aitken’s Folly, MaoriPoint, Desert Heart and Akarua, there selections were all unique and very enjoyable. I highly recommend Joe and Wanahaka Tours it is a fantastic way to experience Central Otago

K. J.

A must do activity in Wanaka. Joey shares his wealth of knowlegde about Wanaka and surrounds. The vineyards are uniquely positioned around Central Otago each with a point of difference and friendly and knowledgeable hosts. A wonderful experience. Great idea for a work break up or group function.

I.

Awesome experience! Joe is an amazing guide with a tonne of knowledge about both local wines and the history of his local Iwi.

J. S.

We had the pleasure of meeting Joe at our work conference in Queenstown. His Māori Whakataū/Welcome was fantastic. The history of Southern Māori was very interesting and I've left with so much more knowledge than before! Highly recommend :)

I. O.

Amazing Experience You All Need To Feel!!! I recently held an event in Wanaka for Allied Health and Fitness professionals over 2 days. My main message for the event, is that when we communicate and coach/guide people it is about connection and relationships. Joey (WanaHaka Tours) were the obvious choice as I have seen the energy and passion that Joe brings and his knowledge and willingness to share is amazing.The Pōwhiri, Hongi and Haka Welcome set the stage for our workshop, what we need to do as human beings is, respect, listen and communicate. Joey was incredible with thee three powerful and brilliant displays of passed tribal customs. Ian O'Dwyer, Director OD on Movement.

K. D.

What a fantastic day we had visiting the beautiful wineries of the Central Otago region and old Cromwell town. Joe is a very warm and welcoming host who loves sharing his passion for his Maori culture and his knowledge of Wanaka and the surrounding areas.

G. F.

Sensational tour incorporating deep Maori and local culture with some magic wines and people. Joe’s knowledge and sense of humour are infectious!

W. V.

Joe is super friendly and so helpful. He is fully knowledges about Maori dance and also culture. Highly recommended . A wanaka Must do Thanks Joe

B. D.

a 5 star, very personalised experience! Our family loved every minute of it! We can highly recommend the powhiri. Check out the photos :-)

I. S. F.

Had a Māori Whakatau Welcome for our opening of the Merino Muster - a Cross-Country Skiing World Loopet race. The Haka was incredible for all the local and international athletes to experience!

M.

Great tour with Joe, He was very welcoming and made our trip very personalized, he was friendly and very knowledgeable of the area and its history making our trip extremely enjoyable.

M.

Joe was great, very knowledgeable about the area and wines, and the wine tour was loads of fun with our little group.

B. J.

An absolutely wonderful experience! Joe was very friendly, knowledgable and passionate. I felt so warm hearted during the experience and would highly reccomend!

S. D.

Totally recommend WanaHaka. Awesome wine tour!

R. D.

Fantastic experience with Joe! Very knowledgeable and friendly, highly recommend this experience

J. S.

I was fortunate to be involved on a training course in Wanaka. WanaHaka opened our session with a wonderful Maori greeting which gave me wee shivers. I didn’t understand what was being said , I could feel and see the passion which was truly magical. Joe took the time to explain his greeting and talk to us about the Wanaka Haka. It was a great way to start our day and the course. Many thanks Joe for your passion ,education and knowledge. Jean Scott Personal Trainer

g.

(Translated) Great wine tour and intro to southern Māori history. Māori Point wine a winner. Hi Joe, good luck. (Original) Great wine tour and intro to southern Māori history. Māori Point wine a winner. Kia ora Joe, ka pai.

S.

(Translated) Do you want to discover good wine and at the same time learn something about the region? Then this tour is for you. I had a great day with Joe and would definitely do it again. (Original) Zin om goede wijn te ontdekken en tegelijkertijd om iets bij te leren over de regio? Dan is deze tour voor jullie. Ik heb met Joe een super dag gehad en zou het zonder twijfel op nieuw doen.

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