Waiheke Island Māori Culture & Wine Tour from Auckland

Walk the headlands with a Māori guide, taste wine overlooking the gulf, and sit down to lunch among the vines

Te Ahi Kā is a private six-hour tour of Waiheke Island departing from Auckland, led by local Māori guide Paora through Matiatia headlands, a vineyard tasting and lunch, and contemporary art in Oneroa Village. The tour includes return ferry tickets, wine tastings, and a glass of wine with lunch. Minimum age is 18. Additional food and drinks beyond what is listed are at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waiheke Island Māori culture and wine

• Step off ferry and meet guide
• Karakia blessing at Matiatia Bay
• Coastal walk at Matiatia headland
• Curated wine tasting at Mudbrick Vineyard
• Leisurely Mediterranean-inspired vineyard lunch
• Visit contemporary art gallery in Oneroa
• Explore Oneroa Village at own pace

The experience

You board the ferry at Auckland and meet Paora at Matiatia Bay, where a karakia (blessing) sets the tone for the day. The journey opens with a gentle coastal walk through the Matiatia headlands, where native landscape and sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf frame Paora's storytelling about Māori culture, whakapapa and the island's history. This is not a rushed sightseeing loop. The pace stays relaxed so the connection between tangata (people), whenua (land) and moana (sea) comes through in the telling.

By mid-morning you arrive at Mudbrick Vineyard, one of Waiheke's most recognized wine destinations, set among gardens and vines with views back toward Auckland. A curated tasting introduces the island's internationally recognized wine culture. Lunch follows at Casita Miro, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant within the vineyard grounds, where you choose from the menu and settle in with a glass of local wine included in the tour. The meal is built for lingering: bold seasonal flavours, unhurried service, the kind of place where conversation stretches across courses.

The afternoon moves to Oneroa Village, where a visit to a contemporary gallery showcases paintings, sculpture and works by Waiheke and New Zealand artists. Afterwards, you have time to wander the village at your own pace (boutique shops, galleries, views across Oneroa Bay) before the return ferry to Auckland. The whole day runs six hours from ferry to ferry.

What’s included

• Return ferry tickets from Auckland.
• wine tastings at Mudbrick Vineyard.
• Mediterranean lunch at Casita Miro with a glass of local wine.
• entry to a contemporary art gallery in Oneroa Village.
• private guide Paora for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Waiheke Wine Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Six hours leaves room for a morning or afternoon elsewhere in Auckland on the same day, but not for a second full activity. Book this if you want Māori storytelling and wine culture woven together rather than a standard vineyard tour, and if you prefer a private guide over a group experience.

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Top questions

What is the Matiatia headland walk like on this Waiheke tour?

Matiatia is a gentle coastal walk through native landscape with sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf toward Auckland. Paora weaves Māori stories, whakapapa and the island's history into the walk, connecting the land, people and sea rather than simply pointing out sights.

Is lunch included in the Waiheke tour price?

Yes. Lunch at Casita Miro is included, along with a glass of wine. You choose from the restaurant menu, and the meal is designed to be eaten at a leisurely pace in the vineyard setting. Any additional food or drinks beyond what is listed are at your own cost.

How does the ferry work with this Waiheke tour from Auckland?

Return ferry tickets are included in the tour price. You board at Auckland, meet Paora at Waiheke at 9:40am, and return by ferry the same day after the Oneroa Village stop. The whole experience runs six hours from ferry departure to ferry return.

What is Mudbrick Vineyard like?

Mudbrick is one of Waiheke's most iconic vineyards, set among gardens and vines overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland skyline. The tasting is curated to introduce Waiheke's internationally recognized wine culture, and the venue is recognized as a Michelin Star destination.

What happens in Oneroa Village at the end of the tour?

You visit a contemporary gallery showcasing paintings, sculpture and works by Waiheke and New Zealand artists, then have time to explore Oneroa Village at your own pace: browsing boutique shops and galleries, taking in the relaxed village atmosphere, or enjoying views across Oneroa Bay before heading back to the ferry.