PREMIUM TOUR EXPERIENCE
Moana ki te Whenua – Sea & Land, your cultural connection
Guided fishing, foraging and feast experience, venturing out on the ocean and across the land with your hosts, Deon Muir and Karena & Kasey Bird, sisters & MasterChef winners.
Join Deon Muir, together with acclaimed Celebrity Chefs and sisters Karena & Kasey Bird
– as they showcase mahinga kai; demonstrating the traditional value and care of the local food source followed by a wonderful kai hākari (feast) in their coastal Bay of Plenty community, Maketū.
Meet your driver at your Tauranga / Mt Maunganui city accommodation and transfer to the nearby heliport, where your adventure begins.
Following a safety briefing, join your pilot as you’re whisked away by private helicopter on a sensational scenic flight across the Bay of Plenty. Track towards Pilot Bay, across the harbour entrance and around Mauao, continuing past the sandy coastline towards Maketū. Enjoy views of Motiti Island as you descend toward Okurei Point, our exclusive landing site.
Land at Maketū where you’ll be greeted by your hosts, followed by karakia (an inspiring prayer) to set the tone for your day.
Join Deon on an introduction to cultural landmarks and historic locations belonging to the Ngāti Whakaue kī Maketū tribe including the significant landing site of Te Arawa Waka. Following a safety briefing, board your awaiting vessel, venturing across the Maketū bar, to spend time on the ocean.
Enjoy the knowledgeable exchange as he discusses the deep connection to Te Ao Māori and his role as kaitiaki – guardian and caretaker of the resource and environment within the Maketū marine catchment.
Learn about the variety of fish, crustacean and shellfish species abundant in the catchment and try your hand at fishing, perfecting your technique with every cast, as you ‘catch your lunch’.
Return to the land where you’ll transfer to your Kai Hākari venue, a very personal, intimate space as you are welcomed to Deon’s home for your afternoon experience.
Join Karena and Kasey where it’s “all hands-on deck” learning about traditional cooking methods beneath the ground, revealing the smoky aroma as you assist with unearthing the hangi pit.
Learn to fillet and prepare your fish, shuck mussels & kina (sea urchin) – eating the occasional one fresh from their shell too! - before joining your hosts for a unique dining experience, indulging in the delights of Tangaroa and Papatūānuku.
On completion, you’ll be presented with a taonga (treasure); a reminder of your highly personal and connective encounter with Maketū.
Farewell your hosts as you depart by private vehicle to your accommodation.
ADD-ON EXPERIENCE
GUEST APPEARANCE
Enhance your day:-
Guest Appearance, retired All Black superstar
For Rugby enthusiasts this is the ultimate. Your special retired All Blacks guest will join at the Kai Hākari venue for storytelling, assisting with kai preparation and dining with your clients for lunch.
* Please enquire when confirming your booking *
DEON MUIR
Professional sportsman, retired Super Rugby Chiefs Captain and New Zealand Māori All Blacks Captain shares his passion for Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and his personal, cultural connection with the ocean.
KARENA & KASEY BIRD
New Zealand MasterChef winners and Celebrity Chefs – lovingly showcase refined, flavoursome cuisine through the art of cultural storytelling, intertwining traditional values, ingredients and techniques every step of the way.
$13,375
PREMIUM TOUR PACKAGE
1 - 3 GUESTS
8.00am – 4.00pm
Times may vary due to seasonal changes and tide timetable.
8-hour excursion
Privately guided fishing, foraging and feast experience including 15-minute scenic heli flight and private transfers.
1 – 3 Guests: 206 Jetranger II
$14,125
PREMIUM TOUR PACKAGE
4 - 5 GUESTS
8.00am – 4.00pm
Times may vary due to seasonal changes and tide timetable.
8-hour excursion
Privately guided fishing, foraging and feast experience including 15-minute scenic heli flight and private transfers.
4 – 5 Guests: AS350 Squirrel 6 Seat Machine
$4,000
3 hours
Enhance your day:-
Guest Appearance, retired All Black superstar.
PREMIUM TOUR ADD-ON EXPERIENCE
GUEST APPEARANCE
1 - 5 GUEST
PRODUCT INCLUSIONS
15-minute scenic helicopter charter flight from Tauranga Airport to Maketū, including Mauao and coastline.
45-minute cultural introduction to Maketū including local storytelling and visits to tribal landmarks.
3-hour ocean adventure onboard a 6.45m monohull custom built Extreme Game King boat, including fishing rods, tackle and bait. Light refreshments included (eg: savory quiche/ pastry, sweet treats, snacks, fruit, cold & hot beverages).
3-hour hands on interactive & feasting experience - assist to unearth the hangi pit, learn to fillet fish and prepare a fish dish for lunch, prepare crayfish, shuck mussels & kina (and eat straight from the shell). Home hosted experience for a Kai Hākari (feast) including hāngi (selection of beef or lamb and chicken, kumara, potatoes, stuffing), seafood platter, salad, fried bread. Steam pudding and beverage selection (wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks).
Each group will receive a Taonga (gift) as a keepsake of their day spent with Muirs Tours.
Private transfers (Tauranga CBD hotel to Tauranga airport // Maketū to Tauranga CBD hotel) are included.
