THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend two days on Aotearoa’s far North learning traditional Māori gathering methods, sandboarding Te Paki Dunes, and sharing a hāngī by the sea. Small groups, local guides, and a night at Ngāpae Holiday Park make this a hands-on cultural and coastal adventure.
Spend two days on Aotearoa’s far North learning traditional Māori gathering methods, sandboarding Te Paki Dunes, and sharing a hāngī by the sea. Small groups, local guides, and a night at Ngāpae Holiday Park make this a hands-on cultural and coastal adventure.
Book with Far North X Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Far North X Tours · Kaitaia, Northland Region
Catch & Kai Overnight Experience is a two-day, hands-on Māori cultural and culinary immersion located on the far North coastline of New Zealand near Kaitaia. Over the course of 48 hours you’ll join local guides for surfcasting, shellfish and reef gathering, sandboarding on Te Paki Dunes, and an evening hāngī by the campfire before sleeping seaside at Ngāpae Holiday Park.
You meet in Taipa or Mangōnui (pick-up available from Paihia and Kerikeri for a surcharge) and head to the sweeping strand of 90 Mile Beach for surfcasting and netting. The coastline here is dominated by long, sandy beaches and dune fields; the area’s geological features include expansive mobile dunes at Te Paki and the broad tidal flats that concentrate tuatua, pipi, and kōura. Guides teach traditional gathering techniques and explain customary kaitiakitanga — local stewardship of marine resources — as you collect shellfish and, weather permitting, opt for a kina dive.
After a picnic cook-up on the beach and a sandboarding run down Te Paki’s steep grey dunes, the group retreats to Ngāpae Holiday Park for an overnight stay in twin-share accommodation. Evening brings a communal hāngī-style dinner: food prepared in an earth oven, shared with stories and waiata that illuminate the cultural connections between people, kai (food), and place. Morning gathering focuses on pipi, kina, or kōura with more time for swimming at Ahipara and relaxed beachside reflection.
What makes this trip special is the blend of practical skills and cultural context. You don’t just observe—you participate in traditional harvesting methods, handle fishing and diving gear provided, and learn about manaakitanga (hospitality) from local guides. Small group sizes (maximum 10) keep the experience intimate and ensure minimal impact on fragile harvesting areas. The itinerary adapts to tides and weather, so flexibility is part of the plan.
Practical details: the trip includes 4x4 transport, fishing and diving gear, sandboards, most meals, and one night’s accommodation. Bring swimwear, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sturdy footwear for shellfish beds, and a refillable water bottle. Note that activities depend on tidal windows and conditions; environmental regulations and customary closures are followed to protect shellfish beds and reef systems.
Look for pōhutukawa clinging to dune edges and tāiko seabirds offshore; local marine life includes pāua and pāpaka in rockpools. The trip occurs on ancestral lands of local iwi — guides explain customs and seasonal rules that have governed gathering here for generations.
This is a standout option for travelers who value edible wild food, cultural exchange, and active coastal adventure on Aotearoa’s northern shores. It’s a rare chance to sleep by the sea, walk long beaches at dawn, and leave with both stories and practical skills that connect you to this special stretch of coastline.
The experience includes 4x4 transport, fishing and diving gear, sandboards, two picnic lunches, one hāngī dinner, one breakfast, and one night twin-share accommodation at Ngāpae Holiday Park.
No formal age limit is listed, but activities involve wading, sandboarding, and boat access—consider the participant’s mobility and sea comfort before booking.
Alcohol is BYO; guides ask guests to be respectful during cultural activities and communal meals.
The itinerary may change due to tides and weather. Guides follow safety protocols and local environmental rules; refunds or rescheduling depend on conditions.
Basic snorkel skills are helpful for optional kina dives, but guides provide equipment and instruction for beginners.
Standard pick-up is from Taipa and Mangōnui; pickups from Paihia and Kerikeri are available for a surcharge—confirm at booking.
Far North X Tours is a Kaitaia-based tour operator that offers immersive cultural and adventure experiences across the Far North of New Zealand, focusing on authentic Māori hospitality and a deep connection to land and sea. The company runs a diverse range of guided trips, from half-day excursions to multi-day retreats, led by Māori guides who share local stories, navigation knowledge, and traditional practices. Tours include land and sea experiences that gather fresh shellfish, fish, and seasonal produce; 4x4 journeys across sacred landscapes; and hands-on activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, and traditional hāngī preparation. Signature offerings visit iconic locations including Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach, combining scenic highlights with cultural context and ancestral stories. Far North X Tours also operates a Māori wellness retreat that blends star navigation, plant medicine practices, restorative massage, and evening storytelling over four days. Practical arrangements are managed from Kaitaia in the Northland Region, with options for hotel pick-ups, overnight seaside stays, and guided beach camping on select experiences. Safety and cultural respect are emphasized: guides instruct visitors on local protocols, sustainable gathering practices, and responsible interaction with sacred sites and wildlife. Equipment and transportation are provided for activities described in each itinerary, including 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and fishing gear where appropriate. Far North X Tours appeals to travellers seeking authentic, educational, and active experiences in New Zealand’s Far North; the operator’s Māori-led storytelling and hands-on food gathering deliver meaningful connections to place and tradition. Bookings are available year-round with flexible options.
Book with Far North X Tours