Āmiki Tours Compendium
Āmiki cultural and food tours provide a glimpse into the cultural and culinary gems hidden in plain sight in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand, combining stunning scenery, exquisite culinary experiences, and unique paths with captivating storytelling by Māori and multi-cultural guides.
We influence the future by how we preserve the past.
Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
Kia mau koe ki ngā kupu a ōu tipuna. Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.
Hold fast to the words of your ancestors. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.
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our story
Our culture and food tours on foot showcase our city’s hidden gems combining natural beauty, exquisite dining experiences, unique trails and include our own Māori and multi-cultural storytelling. Our language (te reo Māori) is an essential window into our culture and we welcome you on a journey to meet and share with our people. Discover the stories of the past and present, connect with local culture, share moments and create unique memories to take home with you.
Our Values
Care for all things, people and planet.
Working together for the greater good of all.
Meaningful connections lead to a sense of belonging
Our culture is the foundation for how we approach life.
Guardianship, protection and preservation of the environment.
MANAAKITANGA Kotahitanga WHANAUNGATANGA
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TIKANGA Kaitiakitanga
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BACKGROUND
Āmiki is the Māori word for deep storytelling, it also means “to make friends” in the universal language of Esperanto. We believe that Ōtautahi Christchurch has an exciting and vibrant culture and culinary story just waiting to be shared.
Visitors are offered a welcoming journey of experience, connection, and sharing and are presented with the opportunity to explore intriguing stories from both the past and present, immerse themselves in local customs, exchange moments with fellow explorers, and create indelible memories to treasure long after their stay.
ARRIVE AS STRANGERS, LEAVE AS FRIENDS.
Āmiki excursions provide a glimpse into the hidden treasures of the city, combining stunning scenery, exquisite dining experiences, and unique paths. By sharing kai (food), manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (connections) and storytelling, Āmiki share the regions exciting and vibrant culture and culinary story. Guests are able to delve deeply into the captivating indigenous Māori and settlers’ cultures. They arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
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Our Guides
Āmiki guides are passionate locals who always have the knowledge on what’s just opened - or what the locals are currently loving. Under the leadership of Riwai Grace, the crew are captivating storytellers who celebrate their own heritage and embrace all the different cultures that brought them to live in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Following the guiding principles of manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (connection) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) Āmiki guides share their home town in a unique way. They honour the Māori and diverse cultures that make Ōtautahi Christchurch so special and share the hidden treasures and essence of the city and region.
LEAD GUIDE
Our Lead Guide Riwai and his crew weave stories of Ōtautahi’s Māori and settler history into their experiences so people leave with their tummies, hearts and minds all full and happy.
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CULTURAL FOOD TOURS
Kia mau koe ki ngā kupu a ōu tipuna. Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.
Hold fast to the words of your ancestors. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.
Our cultural food tours showcase our city’s hidden gems combining natural beauty, exquisite dining experiences, unique trails and include our own Māori and multicultural storytelling. Our language (te reo Māori) is an essential window into our culture and we welcome you on a journey to meet and share with our people. Discover the stories of the past and present, connect with local culture, share moments and create unique memories to take home with you.
Āmiki is the Māori word for deep storytelling, it also means “to make friends” in the universal language of Esperanto. We believe that Ōtautahi Christchurch has an exciting and vibrant culture and culinary story just waiting to be shared.
Āmiki cultural walking food tours take visitors through the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch with guides sharing stories at significant Māori sites along the way. Walking, talking and eating - through the city’s food and fine produceĀmiki cultural food tours are your translators and guides. In a city that is changing quicker than guidebooks can keep up, these cultural tours open a window on the stories of Māori and more recent settlers.
Our cultural food tours celebrate the diversity that is modernday Ōtautahi Christchurch from stories of gathering or mahinga kai on the banks of the Ōtākaro river to tasting some of our finest modern-day food. Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
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Ōtautahi Cultural Walk
Ōtautahi Hīkoi
Experience culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch. This 75 min city walk is a perfect way to discover cultural treasures hidden in plain sight and learn how local Māori are expressed in the rebuild of the city.
We begin our tours with mihi whakatau | welcome and karakia | prayer to visitors safe on your journey. We share the creation story of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), and hear our ancestors story of how the hongi brought to life Hineahuone.
Following the footsteps of our ancestors, we meander our way along the awa (river), sharing traditional Māori and Settler stories and demonstrating how we are kaitiaki (guardians) and how we preserve the past that determines the future.
Walking past traditional mahinga kai (food gathering) and pā (māori village) sites, Āmiki bring to life the stories of the past and present and how they have been woven into our emerging city.
Our cultural tours celebrate the diversity that is modern-day Ōtautahi Christchurch. From stories of gathering or mahinga kai on the banks of the river, iconic explorers, the city’s change makers to modern art and architecture.
75 minute Experience
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Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
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CITY MEANDER
Our Original tour! Discover cultural treasures hidden in plain sight and experience the many flavours the city has to offer. This two hour inner city walk is a perfect way to explore the inner city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
We begin our tours with mihi whakatau | welcome and karakia | prayer to visitors safe on your journey. We share the the creation story of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), and hear our ancestors story of how the hongi brought to life Hineahuone.
Following the footsteps of our ancestors, we meander our way along the city laneways and river, sharing traditional Māori and Settler stories demonstrating how we are kaitiaki (guardians) for the future.
Walking past traditional mahinga kai (food gathering) and pā (Māori village) sites, Āmiki bring to life the stories of the past and present and how they have been woven into our emerging city.
Our guides introduce our guiding principles of manaakitanga (hospitality) and whānaungatanga (connection) including sharing how important the act of sharing kai (food) is for Māori and offer guests some iconic kiwi flavours and tastings.
Our cultural food tours celebrate the diversity that is modern-day Ōtautahi Christchurch. From stories of gathering or mahinga kai on the banks of the river to tasting some of our finest modern-day food.
Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
2 hour Experience
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Kai Safari
At night the City of Ōtautahi Christchurch provides a whole new atmosphere, our local hosts know the best spots that are guaranteed to delight your senses. Come on a mystery journey with us as we introduce you to the local culture, discover delicious kai (food) and immerse you in the emerging foodie scene. We will find something to suit even the fussiest of eaters.
THE TWIST?
In between courses your local host will let you in on some of the city’s best kept secrets, you will learn Māori culture and our team will introduce you to some of the friendly locals as you move through the vibrant and dynamic city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
A PROGRESSIVE DINNER WITH A TWIST!
3 hour Experience
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Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
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Ngā Hari O Te Pō Night of Delights
TAKE OUR SIGNATURE KAI SAFARI TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH PAIRED LIQUID DELIGHTS!
Sit back as our local hosts takes you on a complete journey, discover delicious kai (food) and ignite the senses with paired liquid delights. We will introduce you to the local culture, discover delicious kai and immerse you in the emerging foodie scene.
THE TWIST?
In between courses your local host will let you in on some of the city’s best kept secrets, you will learn Māori culture and our team will introduce you to some of the friendly locals as you move through the vibrant and dynamic city of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
3 hour Experience
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Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
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Bespoke Education
Āmiki has education focused tours aimed at sharing a cultural narrative of the inner city and the rich Māori and settler history and culture that surrounds the area. From early childhood, through to high school and beyond, we have a range of options including tours and activities that engage teachers and students in their local history in creative and stimulating ways.
Tours can be tailored to meet the specific learning outcomes of your school or tertiary institution. Activities are based around the Ōtākaro Awa, including historic and modern sites and are led by local Māori guides.
Bespoke Corporate & VIP
Āmiki tours combine storytelling, cultural and city sights with kai (food), manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (connection). We understand that there is no such thing as a one size fits all. Some travellers and visitors may appreciate an exclusive tailor made experience. Others are looking for a privately hosted tour.
All of our tours can be tailored for private guests and our bespoke team can co-create with you unforgettable experiences designed with your guests in mind. From exclusive VIP hosted dinners to corporate group bookings, we ensure exclusive memorable experiences in our magnificent corner of the globe.
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Distance to Christchurch
Aoraki
329km: 4hr 9mins
Lake Tekapo
226km: 2hr 56mins
Methven
95.3km: 1hr 13mins
Little River 54km: 52mins
Akaroa 81.5km: 1hr 25mins
Castle Hill
98.4km: 1hr 22mins
Hokitika
248km: 3hr 20mins
Waipara 57km: 50mins
Kaikōura
180km: 2hr 29mins
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Ōtautahi
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Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
Riwai Grace: Cate Grace: Lou McLeod: Facebook: instagram: Website: Email: 021 532 748 027 5327 248 027 259 4400 www.facebook.com/amikitours @amikitours amikitours.com info@amikitours.com
amikitours.com
