Ruatāhuna is the homeland of the Tūhoe tribe and sits at the heart of New Zealand’s largest indigenous rainforest.

Tūhoe people are born from Te Urewera – the children of the mist. They are mana whenua and kaitiaki (guardians) of the land.

At the heart of the experience of Ruatāhuna is the unwavering desire to maintain a thriving and self-sustaining community and environment for mana whenua. As a visitor you’ll experience local people’s spiritual connection with the land.

Visiting Ruatāhuna is taking a journey into the heartland of New Zealand’s largest wilderness area. People can often feel a spiritual connection with the land and its indigenous people.