Maori food trail & tour

As a guest or manuhiri of Kinaki Wild Foods you will be expected only to relax and enjoy yourself. You will forage for food or kai in the bush and talk about Māori traditions, sustainable harvesting, traditional remedies and health and hear fabulous stories explaining why the wonderful heat and steam came to this region and how the local people, for hundreds of years, have embraced this resource in their daily lives. Next head to Soda Springs (or Waitangi) - a naturally heated outdoor mineral pool, renown locally for soothing a weary or aching body. It's an intimate bathing experience with nature - a place to truly relax and reflect. Slip into your swimsuit in the newly erected changing facilities and wade on in - you won't believe how good you feel afterwards. Finally you will visit local contemporary Māori artist and sculptor Joe Kemp's stunning lakeside property and unique open air art gallery. Set amongst native fauna and bird life, exquisite pieces of art from a range of talented artists lay nestled next to logs, suspended from branches or tucked away in trees. Along the way enjoy a unique selection of tempting taster platters to enjoy. Savour natural kawakawa tea (a traditional cleansing tonic) and home baked kawakawa shortbread, breads, dips and appetisers made up of harvested foods flavoured with earthy herbs and spices. A mix of seasonal fare such as eel, kawakawa chicken, horopito hot-smoked tomato or spicy piripiri beef served with a selection of vegetables such as Māori potatoes, kumara and pikipiko fern shoots.