Hikoi -Culture Journey (English)

Hikoi Waiora 2026 – Wellbeing, Cultural Wisdoms, and Personal Growth

Hikoi Waiora is a journey of wellbeing, where participants are invited to explore deeper aspects of themselves through the cultural wisdom and knowledge of the Māori people. Through teachings of spirituality, cultural practices, and ceremony, participants discover pathways of growth and healing. These experiences can enrich European culture by offering new perspectives on connection, mindfulness, and inner strength.

Dates (Confirmed): January 19th–1st February 2026

Organisational Details

During this trip, you will immerse yourself in Māori culture through workshops led by Māori teachers and leaders. You will participate in traditional practices, experience cultural ceremonies, and enjoy locally sourced food prepared by a Māori cook.

The journey will take you through various places of significance in Aotearoa – including pristine forests, pristine beaches and geothermal wonderlands. Accommodation ranges from homesteads, chalets to marae (traditional Māori community houses) – places that are usually inaccessible to ordinary tourists.

Haka

For many of us, the haka has served as a gateway to the Māori world. This ceremonial dance is a vital expression of cultural identity, sovereignty, and practice. Through the haka, we can channel emotions, process grief and joy, and embody our feelings. As students and practitioners of this sacred tradition, haka has become a meaningful part of our life journey—opening doors to healing, growth, and wellbeing through Māori cultural practice.

Hikoi Wairua

Our journey began over 20 years ago with Māori spiritual leader Te Waimatao Turoa-Morgan—a shaman, teacher, and healer.  Affectionally known as Wai, she began working with communities across Europe, sharing the wisdom of the Māori people to help people reconnect with spirituality and healing knowledge.

During this time, she met Austrian teacher and music healer Klaus Wintersteller. Together with teachers and healers from the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, and Germany, they created Hikoi Wairua, which translates as “spiritual journey.” This annual pilgrimage to Aotearoa (New Zealand) offered participants an opportunity to engage with Māori wisdom and cultural landscapes firsthand.

The Hikoi Wairua ran annually for 10 years, during which Wai was joined by many esteemed teachers and guides. Among them was her granddaughter, Jenna-Rose Maharata Astwood, a Māori cultural practitioner and Indigenous researcher.

Wai passed away in 2017, yet her legacy continues. Jenna-Rose is now revitalising this important work in her own unique way, honouring her grandmother’s teachings with deep commitment and care.

While Hikoi Wairua translates to “spiritual journey,” Hikoi Waiora means “journey of wellbeing.” It builds upon spiritual learning, grounding it in practices of holistic wellbeing.

This is an opportunity to connect with the ancient knowledge and wisdom of the Māori people—creating pathways to connection, personal and communal growth, ancestral alignment, and other aspects of life that may have long been dormant.

This cultural exchange is a space for learning, empowerment, emotion, and joy.  Equally important is that we not only learn from Māori culture but also contribute to cultural advocacy—by fostering international relationships, sharing knowledge with integrity and reciprocity, and building living bridges between cultures.

Together, we embark on a journey toward inner strength, self-discovery, and cross-cultural appreciation.

Our team consists of Māori teachers and community leaders with in-depth knowledge and experience in the fields of cultural practice, spirituality, history, medicine, art, performing arts and culinary. They are supported by two German team members, including our tour guide and tour manager.

We continue to explore expanding our offerings and bringing in more incredible teachers and leaders into our journey.  So, stay tuned for more updates!

Accommodation: Full board with meals
Approximate cost: < € 4.200* >

The following will be organised:

• Accommodation
• Transport
• Catering
• Lecturers and staff
• Cultural activities
• Cultural Ceremonies

Optionally bookable privately on site:

• Individual activities outside the tour group
• Mirimiri and Romiromi (Māori Bodywork)

Important note:  Participants will have to cover their own flights to New Zealand