Kia Orana & Welcome to Te Vaka Tours

"There are two sides to every story..."

Welcome to Te Vaka Group, a proudly local, whānau-owned and operated business here in beautiful Rarotonga. We are more than just a tour company; we are storytellers, navigators, and your local family on the island.

Our Whānau & Our Heritage Te Vaka was brought to life by Rarotonga local Papa Tita Teei and his nephew Kahn. Together, they represent the full, epic Pacific journey of the legendary Tainui waka.

While Papa Tita shares the deep island roots, local legends, and the departure history of the Great Migration from the Cook Islands, Kahn brings the story full circle to Aotearoa. Kahn traces his whakapapa directly to Ngāti Mahuta ki te Hauāuru—the sacred resting place of the Tainui. Our mission is to bridge the waters between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, honoring our ancestors and sharing their authentic history with you.

Te Vaka Experience We believe you cannot truly experience the magic of Rarotonga while trapped behind the tinted glass of a standard tour van. That is why we built our signature ride: a custom 12-seater, open-air safari style truck.

Complete with a traditional thatched roof, our sleek black truck is designed to let you catch the warm Raro breeze, smell the salt air, and travel in true island style. Whether you are joining us to explore sacred historical sites or simply catching a breezy, stress-free ride to the Punanga Nui or Muri markets, you are traveling with family. Expect genuine connections, shared laughs, and warm island hospitality.

Looking to the Future 🌴 Te Vaka Accommodation – Coming Soon! Te Vaka Group is expanding. We are currently working hard behind the scenes to bring you exclusive Te Vaka accommodation. Very soon, you will be able to stay, explore, and connect with our whānau all in one place. Watch this space!