Waiheke Island Tour: Indigenous Culture and Scenic Views

Immerse yourself in Maori traditions and history on a cultural tour of Waiheke Island. Explore stunning landscapes, learn about carving and tattooing, and discover the impact of colonization on the Maori people.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Waiheke Island - Spend a day exploring Waiheke Island from a Māori perspective. First is an orientation around Waiheke taking in stunning sea views of the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland City and the Pacific Ocean. You will visit pristine white sand beaches and hear the history and stories of the places you visit and see. You will visit the focal point of…
What's Included
  • Expert local guide
What's Not Included
  • Ferry to/from Waiheke Island. Tickets can be purchased from us at $42/adult return.
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic beverages
Additional Information

This tour takes in all that Waiheke has to offer while also getting you off the beaten tourist trail. To truly understand our land is to understand it through the eyes of us, the indigenous people.
You will be greeted by your local guide at the wharf upon your arrival. First is an orientation around Waiheke taking in stunning sea views of the Hauraki…

Location
Fullers360 Matiatia ticket office
Ocean View Road
Your tour begins on Waiheke Island. We do not do hotel pickups. If you are travelling from Auckland on the 9am ferry, your guide will be holding a sign and standing on your left as you leave the ferry at Waiheke Island (approximately 9.45am).
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(30 Ratings)
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Barbo8
Apr 18, 2025
A Day of Beauty, Brilliance, and Lifelong Learning on Waiheke - If you're lucky enough to spend a day on Waiheke Island, do yourself a favor and go with Terra & Tide—and if you can, ask for Justine. My husband Phil and I had the good fortune of touring with her yesterday, and I have to say: it was one of those rare experiences where you walk away not just wowed by the scenery, but enriched on every level. Justine isn't just a guide—she's a lifelong learner in action. (And believe me, I know a bit about lifelong learning—I teach the neuroscience behind it!) She brought an astonishing depth of knowledge to everything we encountered, from native flora and fauna to Māori culture, history, and art. And the way she wove it all together—cultural, botanical, ecological, historical—was nothing short of masterful. You could tell she was deeply rooted in the land and its stories, especially as a native of nearby Great Barrier Island. That personal connection made everything feel authentic and deeply human. The tour itself was beautifully structured. Yes, the catalog says you'll see stunning sea views, native birds, ancient pā sites, and traditional uses of plants—but what you really get is the sense that you’re being invited into a living classroom with nature as the chalkboard and Justine as the inspired teacher. We learned so much, yet it never felt like a lecture. Justine made it feel like a conversation among curious minds. The lunch stop? Delicious. The native bush walk? Peaceful and full of unexpected wonder. And the views—oh, the views. Jaw-dropping panoramas that reminded us just how glorious this planet can be. Terra & Tide is clearly a company that values quality, integrity, and depth. They don’t just hire guides—they bring on board people who embody the spirit of exploration and respect for place. Justine made the day unforgettable, and we’re so grateful. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended. —Barbara Oakley Professor of Engineering & Neuroscience Educator (And proud, awe-struck tourist on Waiheke Island)
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Road44921901431
Mar 25, 2025
Breathtaking views! - Justine our tour guide was amazing! Highly recommended tour! We had the wine and olive oil tasting tours and they do ship worldwide!
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Extraordinary786391
Mar 11, 2025
Whaiheke Island with Justine - We had a wonderful day touring Waiheke Island with Justine our guide. She shared a wealth of knowledge on the island’s history and culture while also blending bush walks with both olive and wine tasting events. We would highly recommend Terra and Tides, and especially Justine as a tour guide.
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Alfred
Mar 3, 2025
I learned - Dell was a very pleasant and informative guide. Knowledgeable about the Māori and local customs. Picked some beautiful view sites.
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94garrym
Mar 2, 2025
Personal Tour - Great personalized tour of Waiheke Island. Saw a bit of everything and learned about the people who were the original occupants of the island.. Much better than being a a bus all day.
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Dave
Feb 23, 2025
Great time on Waiheke Island - Our guide, Dell, was great. She was very enthusiastic and well informed of the island’s history. We visited Mudbrick winery and a lovely local restaurant
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Seaside27912912503
Jan 31, 2025
Beautiful Day in Waiheke - We toured the island with Justine as our guide. She was fantastic. Deeply knowledgeable about Māori culture and history and led us through wonderful nature trails and beaches. She accommodated our interests and pace with a gentle sense of humor. We highly recommend any tour with her. Thanks, Justine!!
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Freedom31617904084
Jan 25, 2025
Great historical overview - Our guide, Dell, was amazing. She was knowledgeable, flexible, and a joy to spend time with. She spent a few minutes understanding what was most important to us before we set out, and offered options all along the way. We were blessed with a beautiful day, so took a nature walk. Woven into the walk (and, in fact, the whole day) was information about the history, culture, and language of the Maori. It was an enjoyable day, time well spent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lpj1
Dec 10, 2024
Wonderful Tour of Waiheke - We were met on time at the dock by Justine. She is friendly and knowledgeable about the island’s history and environment. She was very respectful of the Māori and their traditions. Justine is well known on the island so we were well taken care of at the restaurant and winery we visited. She explained that Terra and Tide is a woman-owned business and the owner is active in promoting the healthy environment of the island, helping to plant native trees and eradicate invasive species. I recommend Terra and Tide and Justine to anyone visiting Auckland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
722bsr
Feb 27, 2025
Good introduction to New Zealand - This tour is a good overview of the Maori history on New Zealand and their culture. It also provides an broad introduction to the scenic parts of New Zealand. Our guide was Cindy and she was excellent
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $346
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).