Given you’re looking at this page, I’m guessing you have an idea of what the Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo are and wondering if they’re worth visiting.
Yes? Awesome, I’m here to help.
No? That’s okay, after reading this post you’ll know much more about the unique 14-metre Maori carving and how you can see this and more miniature carvings for yourself.
The token selfie at the Maori rock carvings (better photos later in the article).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Details About My Rock Carvings Taupo Tour
2. Taupo’s Maori Rock Carvings History
3. Why I Chose Sail Barbary
4. My Maori Rock Carvings Review
1. DETAILS ABOUT MY MAORI ROCK CARVINGS TAUPO TOUR
Great staff? Yup. Saw the carvings? Yup. Everything was on time? Yup. Learned a thing or two? Yup. Eco-friendly? Yup. Good value? Yup.
,br>I have zero complaints with my Maori rock carvings tour with Sail Barbary. It’s not an experience you need to do more than once, but if I was in Taupo with friends, I’d happily tag along with them while recommending the eco conscious Sail Barbary.
Company used: Sail Barbary
Amount Paid: NZD$34 via BookMe.co.nz (you can sometimes get cheaper).
Tour duration: 2.5 hours.
2. TAUPO’S MAORI ROCK CARVINGS HISTORY
The Maori Rock Carvings, you can really see them can’t you!
In the 1970s, Te Huatahi Susie Gilbert asked her grandson, Matahi Brightwell to carve a face of her ancestor Ngatoroirangi into a Totara Tree to ensure her family was always connected to the land. When Matahi was in Taupo he had no such luck finding a suitable Totara Tree so he went out onto Lake Taupo for inspiration. This is where he uncovered a large rock face in Mine Bay that would provide the inspiration he needed to meet his grandmother’s request.
After gaining the permission of his grandmother and other stakeholders, he bought together four other carvers who worked on the 14-metre carving every summer from 1976-1980. You’ll learn about the finer details of the carving onboard with Sail Barbary, it’s better they explain it.
Matahi and his four assistance used scaffolding to work on the carving, usually in their speedos with photos scattered on the internet of them doing so.
Little did Matahi know that his art would become one of the most iconic pieces of Maori art in the country 40 years later!
3. WHY I CHOSE SAIL BARBARY
The yacht you’ll go on if you choose Sail Barbary.
When I was looking at the different tour options to the Maori rock carvings, it was clear that the competition is high. There are at least four companies offering tour discounts on BookMe throughout the week, meaning those who are looking for the cheapest ticket can take their pick with a little bit of flexibility.
For myself, I was booking in the morning for the same day and given the prices were all the same-ish I booked with Sail Barbary as they’reenvironmentally friendly and had a time that wouldn’t take up my whole day (10:30 am departure).
Ultimately, the tours are more or less offering the same package, and the pricing doesn’t vary by much.
What makes Sail Barbary environmentally friendly?
The yacht we sailed on has a backup form of power as you’d expect, but it’s an electric motor rather than the diesel/petrol motors that are the norm. This means that there is no noise, no fumes, and no pollution. The Sail Barbary team makes sure the electric motor is charged each night, but if all goes well they’ll be able to get you to and from the Mine Bay carvings using wind power only.
4. MY MAORI ROCK CARVINGS REVIEW
Having made my reservation for the 10:30 am departure, the email confirmation said to arrive at 10 Redoubt Street (the wharf) at 10:15 am. When I got there at about 10:20 am (whoops), everyone else was already onboard so we were able to get started on time.
We were introduced to the two crew members, Peter (Sail Barbary owner) and Chris who we’d be sailing with and they went through the standard safety procedures such as life jacket policy (they are on board but it’s not compulsory to wear one) and to watch out for the boom which is at head height for some people. With all that said and done we seat off with ~12 guests onboard.
Wind power, let’s go!
We had a stunning day for being out on the lake with enough wind to get us moving up toward 6-7 knots on the water when the sails were up! No electric power needed.
Once we out on the Lake itself Peter and Chris were soon giving us a mini-history lesson about the Lake Taupo’s formation (INCREDIBLE) and other interesting tidbits of information.
As mentioned, we had an epic day for sailing (from what I understand, I’m not a sailing expert) and other than a thrust of electric power here and there we were cruising along nicely. We were offered a drink etc. but I don’t think anyone took up this up? The majority of the people onboard kept to themselves, as did I a lot of the time, but there was a family from Hawai’i onboard who were cool to chat with, as were Peter and Chris.
Taking a snap of the carvings, you’ll have a few opportunities to do so.
When we started to approach Mine Bay, where the carvings are located. Peter went into more depth about the main carving, but also the 13 smaller carvings that are on the surrounding rocks (I didn’t know about these). When we arrived, other than a few kayakers we were the only tourists there so we’re able to get some nice photo opportunities while admiring the rock.
There’s not a whole lot to say about it really, but it’s really awesome to sea in person given you learn about the story on the way, you can really appreicate the effort that has gone into the carving which has been through a restoration process earlier in the year.
If you were to go out solo on a kayak, I’m sure it’d be an epic time, but getting some background information first hand made the expereince that extra bit better (there are kayak tours you can join).
Mount Tauhara from Lake Taupo looks like a pregnant lady lying down 🙂
RELATED POST: HIKING MOUNT TAUHARA IN TAUPO
After seeing the rocks it was time to sail back to Taupo. I was surprised at how quick the time went by both getting to the carvings and back, which was about 1 hour 20 each way (I’d say we spent about 20 minutes at the carvings). Make sure to watch the video for the cool trick Peter does with the ducks!
At right about 1 pm we were back onshore after an epic tour.
As someone who doesn’t often understand art, history, and culture as well as many, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this tour at all. But, I’m glad to say I really did. It’s not often you get to hang out on a sailboat, and while the viewing of the Maori carvings is a small part of the tour in terms of the time spent there, the rest of the time on the great lake was epic.
Both of the staff were great and personable, and I learned a lot about NZ from them with some classic kiwi slang and banter thrown in to keep things fun.
If you’ve got any questions about visiting the Lake Taupo Maori rock carvings, feel free to leave a comment below.
What to read next:
- A massive list of things to do in New Zealand
- The Huka Falls Walk
- The Wairere Falls near Matamata
- Is Hobbiton worth visting?
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.