Reflections on tour

 

 

“It was more like taking a good trip with a friend than it was a guided tour”

 

 

 

Grateful For This Experience.

Tangi Weepu, our Maori guide, is a beautiful soul and a living manifestation of Maori beliefs, culture, and spirituality.  Even if we hadn’t had the thrilling experience of the Arahura River gifting us several gorgeous pieces of Pounamu and being taught by a master how to turn them into necklaces (which we did!), our time with Tangi would have been one of the most affecting and memorable experiences in New Zealand.

My wife and I would do this tour again tomorrow if we could.  If your interest is limited to searching for and receiving greenstone from one of the most sacred rivers in New Zealand you will be rewarded.  If you also want an immersion into the wisdom and deep connection the Maori have with their ancestors and the Aruhura you will be rewarded beyond what you can imagine.

I had very high expectations for this excursion, so high that as the day approached my wife started to worry that I was setting myself up for disappointment.  But all my expectations were exceeded.  No spoilers, but some of the ways of Maori thinking that Tangi explained to us have broadened our perception of the world and made it more alive and meaningful.

I’m writing this review a few days after our Arahura adventure but I can still feel the ancient and healing flow of the river moving through me.

If get near Hokitika beach, on the west coast of island, we can really recommend this tour. It’s a whole Maori village that owns the river here help you can find the New Zealand jade stone. They keep some amazing personal tours. During the whole trip was tangi relaxed and pleasant and gave himself really good time for us.

 

“Walking on the Arahura River with you and the dog listening, to the great stories, making the necklace, thank you for a great tour.”

“One of the best activities was Greenstone tours, what a great insight into Maori culture and way of life, we walked and waded & talked and made jewelry for about 4 hours. It was brilliant!!  Tangi was inspirational, we won’t forget him!