Kia Ora...and welcome to — the Polynesian Cultural Center's islands of Aotearoa, or the "Land of the Long White Cloud" as the New Zealand Maori call their homeland of the past 1,000 years. Aotearoa forms the southwestern apex of the Polynesian Triangle and is the only part of Polynesia to experience four seasons. Consequently, you'll notice the Maori — whose name means the "true people" — created significantly different housing and lifestyles than their Polynesian cousins in the tropical islands. Oh, and yes, the appropriate response to a Maori greeting, which means "good health," is also Kia Ora.
Island activities
Five times each afternoon — at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 5:30 — the Maori put on a demonstration that explains the symbolic significance of their beautiful meeting house, unique carvings, facial tattoos, the ancient origins and meanings of sticking out their tongues and twirling poi balls, and other aspects of one of Polynesia's most unusual group of people. You won't want to miss the stirring haka dance; kids will enjoy learning to play tititorea, a Maori stick game designed to develop hand-eye coordination, and kids of all ages seem to enjoy the ta moko area where they can get a temporary tattoo.
The Maori Pa...
or fortified compound encloses a marae or open area that is surrounded by several key structures, including the carved entrance where challenges are sometimes issued; the focal point Whare Runanga or meeting house where most presentations and important events in Maori tribal life occur; the Whare Whakairo or "carved house" where a chief and his family would live; the Whare Puni or family dwelling house, which doubles as a museum; and the Pataka, a food storage shed.
Aotearoa also features a historic 40-man waka taua (war canoe), a traditional watch tower, and a carver's hut with a gift shop and snack stand.
