The manager of Ngati Mutunga iwi in north Taranaki says two wahi tapu tours sold out fast and proved how keen iwi members are to learn about their traditional estates.
The tribe has been running tours around its rohe as a joint project with the Te Puni Kokiri and Puke Ariki museum visiting various sites of significance to Ngati Mutunga.
Hemi Sundgren says over 100 people packed out buses demonstrating their deep desire to reconnect with the whenua.
He says the two tours in January sold out in a very short period of time.
Mr Sundgren says part of that could have been due to people willing to learn more about their tribal history and another factor could have been the previous chair Jamie Tuuta being a drawcard.
He says the fact that bus seats were taken up quickly tells him that not only iwi members but non-Maori are really interested in understanding key sites in north Taranaki.
Mr Sundgren says there are plans for more tours depending on when guides are available.
He says panui or notices on social media played a big part in helping to advertise the tours.