KAITAIA ECO TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Night Tides and Hāngī: A Hands-On Māori Seafood Journey on Kaitaia’s Shore
A two-day, hands-on Māori cultural and culinary adventure that combines seafood gathering, sandboarding and an overnight seaside stay—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Night Tides and Hāngī: A Hands-On Māori Seafood Journey on Kaitaia’s Shore.
Set on the far northern shores of Aotearoa, the Catch & Kai Overnight Experience is a compact immersion into Māori kai gathering and hospitality. Over two days you surfcast and net at 90 Mile Beach, gather shellfish, sandboard the Te Paki Dunes, share an evening hāngī and stories by the fire, then sleep at Ngāpae Holiday Park before a morning of more gathering and beach time.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Seaside Night at Ngāpae Holiday Park
The itinerary includes an overnight stay at Ngāpae Holiday Park, offering waterfront proximity and the chance to experience Māori hospitality after a day of gathering and beach activity.
Hands-on Seafood & Shellfish Gathering
Participants take part in surfcasting and netting at 90 Mile Beach and gather tuatua, with morning trips targeting pipi, kina or kōura—practical, edible lessons in coastal foraging.
Hāngī Dinner and Storytelling by Firelight
Evening hāngī-style dinner and storytelling around the fire form the cultural heart of the outing, framed by manaakitanga and seaside skies.
What the day feels like
What the two-day experience feels like
The trip moves at the tempo of shore life: early pickup followed by surfcasting and beach foraging, a picnic or cook-up if there’s a catch, an adrenaline jolt on the Te Paki sand dunes, then an evening of shared food and stories. After a seaside night, the second morning returns to gathering and relaxed beach time before afternoon drop-offs.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits and where to temper expectations.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a two-day, one-night experience (2 Days / 1 Night).
Bring swimwear and a towel, comfortable outdoor clothes, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and any BYO beverages.
Pick-up is provided from Taipa and Mangōnui (with optional pick-ups noted in the itinerary).
Beach and gathering activities are tide- and weather-dependent; conditions can alter the schedule.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Catch & Kai Overnight Experience?
The experience runs two days with one overnight (2 Days / 1 Night).
Where are the pick-up points?
Pick-up is provided from Taipa and Mangōnui, with optional pick-ups mentioned in the itinerary.
Will I participate in gathering seafood myself?
Yes — the trip includes hands-on surfcasting, netting and shellfish gathering such as tuatua, and morning gathering of pipi, kina or kōura.
Are meals provided during the trip?
An evening hāngī-style dinner and storytelling are part of the itinerary; picnic lunches and breakfast at Ngāpae Holiday Park are included in the schedule, with on-the-spot cook-ups when catches are made.
What should I bring for the trip?
Bring swimwear and a towel, comfortable outdoor clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and any beverages you want to BYO.
Can the schedule change on the day?
Yes — activities depend on tides and weather, so the operator may adjust plans to suit coastal conditions.