The experience begins with an introduction to the significance of the name Ōtautahi, tracing the footsteps of ancestors and sharing numerous traditional Māori and Settlers' stories and lifestyles. The guiding principle of Manaakitanga, encapsulated in the Whakatauki (proverb) ‘Kia atawhai ki te iwi’—Care for your people—is explained, alongside instruction in a traditional Māori greeting. Participants are guided past traditional Mahinga kai (food gathering) and pā (Māori village) sites, where the narratives of the past and present intertwine with the emerging cityscape. The journey continues through laneways, marked by moments of indulgence with morning tea and special tastings from local artisan producers.