Hāngī and Concert

A Hāngī is a time-honored Māori culinary tradition that has been practiced in New Zealand for centuries and is a method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven.The Hāngī baskets are placed on these heated stones and the food is covered with banana leaves and barley sacks. The Hāngī is then left in the ground for 3.5 to 4 hours. The result of this process is tender meat and delicious vegetables, infused with smoky, earthy flavours. Hāngī is perfect for feeding a crowd and bringing a community together. Good food is central to the spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality).

The Hāngī & Concert is only for the evening experience (starting at 5:30pm) whereas theCombo Pass also includes a 2-day Waitangi daytime Admission Pass – allowing you to explore the Grounds during the day, have access to the museums and take in a Guided Tour etc. The daytime Admission Pass is valid on the same day and the following day.

This is a seasonal product which will run on selected dates from 1 October 2025 – 23 April 2026, with the exclusion of 2-9 February due to Waitangi Day commitments. Please check the calendar for available dates. The Hāngī & Concert evening starts at 5:30pm and finishes at 8:00pm. Your Hāngī Dinner will be served at approximately 7:00pm.

The Hāngī & Concert evening starts promptly at 5:30pm. We recommend arriving at the Whare Waka Café 15 minutes before the experience is due to begin. This will give you time to settle in ahead of the evening experience. If you are visiting on the Combo Pass, you are welcome to stay on the Grounds until that time, or leave and come back for the evening.

The Admission Pass is valid for daytime access to the Treaty Grounds (valid on either the same day or the following day). You are welcome to stay on the grounds or leave and come back for the evening.

We recommend that you do, to best suit your schedule.
You can pre-book your Guided Tour and Cultural Performance by selecting these options via our website booking page, or by request.

A popular choice* is to join the 3:00pm Cultural Performance followed by the 3:30pm Guided Tour, stay on the grounds and then head to the Whare Waka Café at approx. 5:15pm for a prompt Hāngī & Concert 5:30pm start (the grounds are open to 5:30pm).
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your Cultural Performance booking time if you are doing this activity first, to allow time to get from the main entrance to where the Cultural Performance takes place in the upper grounds.

Alternatively, you can do these earlier in the day, then leave and return. *Schedules vary during the season

Please notify us of any dietary requirements at least 48 hours in advance and we’ll do our best to cater for you.

In keeping with tradition, Hāngī meat and vegetables are cooked together in the same underground pit. The vegetables are placed on a separate level above the meat, separated by banana leaves and bamboo sticks. While the vegetables are served in separate dishes, they will be displayed on the same buffet table as the meat.

Vegetarian Options: A wide selection of vegetables will be available, along with falafel as a protein substitute, on request.

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Options:
• The stuffing contains both gluten and dairy and is therefore not suitable for those with coeliac disease or lactose intolerance.
• Our Rēwana bread contains gluten; however, a gluten-free alternative can be provided on request.
• A gluten-free dessert option can be provided on request.
• For dairy-free guests, alternatives such as coconut yoghurt and fruit compote will be offered in place of cream and can be provided on request.

Important Note: As the Hāngī is served buffet-style and is self-serve, we cannot guarantee that serving utensils won’t be shared. As such, we recommend caution for guests with severe allergies due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, parking facilities are available for visitors to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. There are designated parking areas where visitors can safely park their vehicles while exploring the site.

We offer hotel pick-ups, from selected locations, for the Hāngī & Concert evening. You can pre-book your pick-up on request.

Transfers/pick-up times as follows:
‍
16:30 - Opua (opposite Cruising Club)
16:30 – Paihia Top 10 (top of driveway)
16:40 – Scenic Hotel
16:45 – Maritime Building
16:45 – Club Paihia (bottom of driveway)
16:50 – Kingsgate Hotel
16:50 – Bay Sands Motel, Te Tii Beach
16:55 – Falls Motel
16:55 – Ashgrove Motel

Yes, please just let our staff know on the night.
Drop-offs are to the selected locations detailed in the ‘are transfers included?’ section above.

The Concert component of our Hāngī experience offers a more in-depth experience of traditional Māori practices and culture. It includes a detailed introduction and exploration of the deities associated with natural elements, which were integral to Māori daily life. This aspect provides a deeper understanding of the Māori way of life prior to European settlement.
The daytime Cultural Performance presents a contemporary window into Māori practices and culture by providing an insight into Māori games and training techniques through modern Māori Performing Arts.

Comfortable clothing is recommended as the evening involves a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. It can get cooler in the evening, so a light jacket is advisable.