We leave Auckland for Rotorua. On the way we stop at another Marae in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) for a Pōwhiri Ceremony; this one is being conducted in the open courtyard, the "marae-atea". This is a special welcome, as Tauranga is the home of Turi Ngatai who is travelling with us on this leg of the journey. The hosts at this ceremony are all elderly and include Bentham's grandfather. The meal is not shared on the Marae; instead we proceed to a restaurant on the Tauranga waterfront.
After checking into our hotel in Rotorua we go on a tour of a recreated, traditional Māori village. The visit is complete with Te Wero, a Pōwhiri and dinner.
Group photo in front of the ancestral house
Inside, the ancestral house is beautifully decorated with tukutuku panels and handwoven floor mats.
At lunch our hosts honor us with a song. Turi is on the left-hand side, next to Marama who runs an elder program for the TWOA; Bentham's grandfather with glasses is shown in the front.
Evening entertainment by Tamaki Tours: we get to observe various activities before being served a meal that was cooked in an earth fire.
Over dinner, Inée and Jerry share photos, while Kohlan decides he has had enough.