New Zealand: The Power of Māori Spirituality

A possible, beautiful itinerary for you

1. Waves of the Spirit

   Arrival in Auckland. The Māori arrived in the 14th century, in several waves, while braving the capricious waters of the ocean. They came to a land of natural wonders, where cheerful beaches give way to solemn mountains, where the fern guides the way in the gloom of the forest. Theirs was an impressive and dangerous journey, an while yours was much more convenient, your intuition tells you that the spiritual forces that have driven you to New Zealand are not unlike those of the powerful Māori.

2. Under the Canopy

   You are following a path in the forest, in sacred mount Titiraupenga. With every step you take, there is an overriding emotion, a tension that you cannot immediately describe, a plucking of invisible strings. Then you meet the source of your unrest: a warrior framed by the soft light under the canopy. He chants and shows his physical prowess, and his fearsome display fills you with awe.

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A Meeting of Humans

He approaches to take your measure, a stare that bares your spirit from the depths, and which is now afloat. He signals you to follow him. He is the protector of all things sacred: the women and children, the peace of the village, and the spirits. As you move closer to the village, more warriors come to meet you, and the chanting then becomes polyphonic as the women join in. The solemn welcome culminates as you and a powerful warrior press your noses and your noses against each other. You are sharing one breath, the vital force that we all share.

One of the Family

As the Powhiri, the sacred Māori welcome unwinds, the warriors relax their combat visage. The contrast is noticeable. At once, your hosts become hospitable, displaying a warm sense of humour. They bring out guitars and light music fills the air and your heart. You step into the conversation and find a familiar openness… A Powhiri is a powerful affair: you are now part of the family, both in the physical and the spirit worlds.

Secrets of the Sky

Your journey leads to the skies. The helicopter makes precipitous turns and skillful landings in pristine and hard to reach corners of the rugged New Zealand backcountry. This is a privileged view of the natural forces that have inspired Māori spirituality. For this perspective, it is obvious that keen spirits must dwell herein. You approach different sacred landmarks, from where a powerful energy emanates. You are met by the solemn Māori guardians, which grant you access not only to the physical location, but to the spiritual significance and the moving stories that live in legend.

Food for Thought

Throughout your journey, you have been delighted by the gastronomy and the meaningful luxury that has surrounded you. Along the way, you have visited farms where’ve had the freshest of the fresh, prepared with mastery by expert chefs. Your journey is coming to a close, and as you get close to the bonfire in a lovely beach, the smell of dinner reaches you and wakens in you a healthy, hearty appetite. Twilight falls and with the exquisiteness of the wine still in your palate, you feel nourished, deeply nourished, in more senses than one.