Walking in the Maori’s Footsteps: A Guide to New Zealand's Most Sacred Places

Cover 7 of the Most Sacred Sites to the Māori of New Zealand: Lake Taupo, Mount Cook/ Aoraki, Cape Reinga/ Spirits Bay, Mount Hikurangi, Mount Taranaki, Whanganui River and Waipoua Forest.

Timestamp
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Lake Taupo
2:33 - Mount Cook/ Aoraki
3:17 - Cape Reinga/ Spirits Bay
4:00 - Mount Hikurangi
4:50 - Mount Taranaki
5:43 - Whanganui River
6:18 - Waipoua Forest

TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Cape Reinga/Spirits Bay: located at the northern tip of the North Island.

Mount Hikurangi: located in the east coast of the North Island, in the Gisborne region.

Lake Taupo: located in the central North Island.

Mount Taranaki: located on the west coast of the North Island.

Whanganui River: located in the western North Island, running from Mount Tongariro to the Tasman Sea.

Waipoua Forest: located in the Northland region of the North Island.

Mount Cook/Aoraki: located in the Southern Alps of the South Island.

Depending on your personal preferences, you may want to add other items in your itinerary, but the above general guidelines on where they are located would help in your planning.

Here is a sample itinerary:

Day 1-2: Auckland and the Bay of Islands
Visit Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, and explore the vibrant culture and attractions such as the Auckland Sky Tower.
Drive north to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the treaty between the British Crown and Māori chiefs was signed in 1840.

Day 3-4: Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay
Drive to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand, and visit the famous lighthouse and spiritual site.
Continue to Spirits Bay, a beautiful and remote beach with a spiritual significance for the Māori people.

Day 5-6: Mount Hikurangi and Lake Taupo
Drive to Mount Hikurangi and hike to the summit, enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Continue south to Lake Taupo, a scenic lake with many outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Day 7-8: Mount Taranaki and Whanganui River
Drive to Mount Taranaki and hike to the summit, or explore the nearby Egmont National Park.
Visit the Whanganui River, and take a guided tour to learn about its cultural significance and history.

Day 9-10: Wellington
Drive to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, and visit its many museums, galleries, and attractions such as the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.

Day 11-12: Waipoua Forest
Drive north to Waipoua Forest, home to the sacred kauri trees, and take a guided tour to learn about the spiritual significance of the forest.

Day 13-14: Mount Cook and Christchurch
Drive south to Mount Cook/Aoraki, the highest mountain in New Zealand, and explore the surrounding national park.
End the trip in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, and visit its many attractions such as the Botanic Gardens and the Canterbury Museum.

This itinerary allows for some time to explore other sites along the way and take breaks to rest and relax. However, the actual number of days needed may vary depending on your travel pace and interests.

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