Each visit included activities such as fishing and gathering pipi at the landing place of the Te Arawa waka, Maketu, white water rafting on the historic Kaituna river, journeying to the summit of Mount Tarawera, and visiting Mokoia Island, the stage for Hinemoa and Tuntanekai's love story.
There was kayaking, hunting and tramping and, at Tongariro, a chance to visit Opotaka, where Te Rauparaha composed his Ka Mate haka. Each group was led by a Te Arawa or Tuwharetoa kaumatua and a Maori tourism host.
They also gathered kai specific to the area they were visiting, including koura, tuna (eel), fresh water koura kumara, venison, trout and local herbs and medicines associated with eating or traditional Maori healing.
Ms Atkinson-Crean said: "Our Te Arawa ancestors were at the very forefront of the development of tourism in New Zealand and the tribe has been hosting manuhiri [visitors] since the 1800s, thanks to high-profile visitor attractions such as the Pink and White Terraces, the region's original Maori guides, and the unique cultural and geothermal experiences that were on offer in the likes of Te Whakarewarewa Valley."