Discover the Wonder of Māori Rock Art
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Experience the world of Māori rock art. A deeply enriching and authentic journey of discovery into a living culture, where the traditions of the past meet the people of today.
Our whakapapa (genealogy) binds us to the whenua (land) and to our tūpuna (ancestors). Rock Art is a cherished part of our identity, a taonga (treasure) to be preserved for generations to come.
Conveniently situated at 2 George Street in the heart of Timaru. Co-located with the Timaru Information Centre, at the Landing Service Building.
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Our Certificates & Awards
Te Ana Māori Rock Art tours are Qualmark GOLD accredited, under the Sustainable Tourism Business criteria since 2022.
Our rock art site has: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga recognition as ‘Wāhi Tūpuna’ (place of importance to Māori for its ancestral significance and associated cultural and traditional values). This is the highest level of protection for Māori heritage in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Protected under a QEII National Trust Ngā Kairauhi Papa ‘Open Space Covenant’ which is linked to the property title, and protected in perpetuity
Information
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru holds the most significant collection of Māori rock drawings in the world and serves as the entranceway to the world of Ngāi Tahu, the Māori tribe of Te Waipounamu (the South Island). Ngāi Tahu guides will share stories of our ancestors and show you the way we lived; practices still followed today. Continue your journey to the iconic rock art site at Ōpihi, where you will discover Māori rock art in situ and gather a deeper understanding of our people, how they lived and why our legacy is such a cherished part of Ngāi Tahu identity today. This tour is flexible and can be structured to meet the needs of visitors.
Opening hours and tour availability:
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre is open Tuesday – Friday 10am – 3pm, and Saturdays 9am – 2pm.
CLOSED Sundays, Mondays, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Guided ‘Our Living Culture’ & ‘Our Living Landscape’ tours operate between November to April or by arrangement either side of these months. Booking essential
Parking:
Public car parking including bus parking, at the rear of the building. Use the app ‘pay-my-park’ (Landing Services car park) however coins can be used.
Parking at our rock art site can accommodate two large buses.
Accessibility and fitness ratings:
*This rating will give you an idea of the level of fitness that is required.
1 out of 5 -This requires nothing physically demanding.
2 out of 5 –Some easy physical activities included no physical preparation is required.
3 out of 5 -This excursion will raise your heart rate. Moderate physical activity, a good level of fitness is required.
4 out of 5 -Be prepared for some harder physical activity, will be challenging in places.
5 out of 5 – Extreme exertion, highest level of fitness needed. Pre training
Te Ana Māori Rock Art site experiences ‘Our Living Culture’ and ‘Our living landscape’ is a *3-4 fitness rating.
A 15-minute hike over uneven farmland, including some steeper gradients required to reach the caves.
Walking involved from beginning to end – total: 1.28km/ 1280 metres/ 4,199 feet /0.80mile.
Visitors taking this tour must be fit and mobile; we reserve the right to refuse. Appropriate footwear is essential, either tramping or light hiking shoes. Wear comfortable clothing and plan for weather conditions i.e., sunscreen, hat, and light clothing if a warm day, or warm jacket and hat if a cold day.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre ‘Our Ancestors Story’ is situated on ground level, with a slightly sloping floor – *1 fitness rating.
Addition Information
Child: 5 – 17 years (ages 5 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult)
Family: 2 Adults + 3 Children
Group bookings: a minimum 48-hour notice for group booking of 10+
Transport: please note the rock art site tour is self-drive for FIT
Information & Bookings:
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre
Landing Services Building
2 George Street
Timaru, South Canterbury 7910
New Zealand
Phone: 0064 3 684 9141
Email: [email protected]
www.teana.co.nz
Key Contact:
Te Ana office – 0064 3 6849141 – [email protected]
Timaru Information Centre – 0064 3 6884452 – [email protected]
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