Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for such a heartfelt and thoughtful review. It really means a lot to read this. You’ve captured exactly what makes the village so special. It’s not a staged or recreated experience — it’s a real, living community, and the people who share it with visitors do so with genuine pride and passion for their culture. Hearing that this came through so strongly for you is wonderful. It’s also great to hear how much the storytelling and performances resonated with you. The haka, especially when you understand the meaning behind it, can be incredibly powerful, and that love song has a way of staying with people long after the day ends. The connection, the emotion, and the history behind it all really do make it something unforgettable. And we love that you mentioned the corn — it’s a simple thing, but it’s such a unique and authentic part of the experience (and yes, it really is delicious!). Thank you again for sharing this. We’re so glad the day meant so much to you, and we’d love to welcome you back again in the future.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re really glad to hear that you enjoyed the village experience — it truly is a special place and we’re pleased that part of the day stood out for you. That said, we’re very sorry to hear about the rest of your experience. John is actually one of our more experienced drivers, so hearing that the day felt disorganised and that communication wasn’t clear is genuinely surprising and disappointing for us. Please accept our sincere apologies, especially regarding the microphone. Guests in the back of the vehicle should always be able to hear the guide clearly, and this is certainly not the experience we want any of our guests to have. We will certainly be speaking with John and reinforcing the importance of clear communication and keeping the day running smoothly for everyone. We’re also sorry to hear about your experience on arrival at the spa. The facilities there are wonderful, but guests should absolutely be given a clear explanation of the different pools and how everything works. We will pass this feedback along to the spa team so they are aware of your experience. Just to clarify, the spa activity was the option selected when the booking was made through Viator, which is why that was the experience arranged for you on the day. However, we completely understand how the options might not always feel clear, and we’re always happy to help explain or answer questions before the tour so guests know exactly what to expect. Thank you again for your honest feedback. We truly appreciate you bringing these points to our attention as it helps us improve the experience for future guests.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for the thoughtful review! We’re really glad to hear the day was one of the highlights of your trip. The Living Māori Village and the spa experience in Rotorua are both pretty special, so it’s great to hear you enjoyed them. Rotorua has such a unique atmosphere with its geothermal activity and strong Māori culture, and many guests say the same thing — that they wish they had a little more time there. It’s also nice to hear your driver helped make the journey enjoyable. Our guides love sharing what they know about the area along the way, especially on the longer drives. Thank you as well for the recommendation, and for sharing your advice about staying a couple of days in Rotorua. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us.