Located in Opononi, on the edge of the edge of the Hokianga Harbour is this very interesting cultural attraction.

According to some tribal narratives, Kupe was the first Polynesian to discover the islands of New Zealand. Hokianga is uniquely associated with Kupe as the place he secured for his descendants before leaving on his return voyage to our ancient place of origin in the eastern Pacific. Within a generation those descendants, returned to these Hokianga shores. These events and histories are the foundation of local tribal identity.

Manea: Footprints of Kupe was developed from a vision had by local Kaumātua (senior tribal Elders) for preserving their heritage and sharing it with the world.

The actual experience is a 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling – through art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction and the splendor of Hokianga’s natural surroundings.

It is split into 3 parts:

Whakapapa / Connect

Meet your guide and begin your journey in the footsteps of Kupe, with descendants of Kupe.

Engage in stories about their ancestors and the ancient realms of Kupe, told through carvings and the surrounding land. Deepen your understanding of Māori customs and the dynamic connections to the natural and spiritual world.

Ruku / Immerse

On your arrival at the Manea whare taonga (house of treasures), you are welcomed with the timeless cultural ceremony of pōwhiri.

You now enter the Manea theatre, where a 20-minute 4D-digital extravaganza and live performance immerses you in a full sensory recreation of the rich and vibrant world of the intrepid adventures of Kupe.

You appreciate in a new way the extraordinary feats of  ocean voyaging.

Toro / Interact

From the theatre, your guide will lead you outside to absorb the full significance of the Hokianga harbour and it’s connection.

This was not only where Kupe made his home, but also his final departure point from this land.

You can now continue your journey of discovery at your leisure in the Footprints of Kupe Interactive Gallery, where digital stations reveal more details of our ancestor’s story.

Why is this Chuffed Worthy?

Manea: Footprints of Kupe was developed from a vision had by local Kaumātua (senior tribal Elders) for preserving their heritage and sharing it with the world. Te Hua o Te Kawariki Trust has developed and runs the Manea centre. It is a charitable trust representing a group of local marae and all profits are returned for community projects.  We love this, and this captures the amazing power of tourism to bring income and jobs and community benefits to a community, preserve and educate about other cultures and send people away with a greater understanding of the world we live in. What’s not to love about this.