Our whānau
Our family loves waka
with daughters Awatea and Aria
Manaaki tangata
Caring for people
Our community is at the heart of what we do
Todd (Ngāti Raukawa) enjoys training rangatahi for waka ama competitions and Lee-Anne (Ngāti Māhuta, Ngāti Pou, Ngāti Raukawa) does a lot of work with waka and local community groups. We invite you to join us and help us to help support our community's growth and empowerment.
Your safety comes first
Passionate about supporting healthy lifestyles
Your hosts
National and international waka ama medalists
What people are saying about our tours
Our guide Thomas made a fine job welcoming us to the trip, gently advising novice paddlers, hosting us as we snacked on the beach by Split Apple Rock. Some... read more
31 December, 2021
Waka padling in Kaitiriteri is such an amazing experience. We were a family of four and enjoyed the beutiful place - but most of all the company. Really friendly people.... read more
s_renarnfeldta20221 January, 2023
A spectacular experience to share with my girls. Been given the opportunity to karanga from Tangaroa to my hononga - Ngāti Apa...Thomas was an amazing Kaitiaki and Todd, you were... read more
29 December, 2021
"Manaaki moana, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua"
What to bring for your waka experience
- Shorts
- Quick dry top and/or thermal top
- Warm fleece
- Rain coat
- Water shoes or barefeet is fine
- Water
- Sunblock
- Sun hat, sunglasses
FAQs / Pātai
Will I get wet?
Most probably. You will get wet feet getting into the waka and there could be splashing from sea and paddle. It’s all part of the fun!
Why do I need to take water?
It is wise to hydrate when in the waka. You might be having too much fun to notice that you’re exercising but there is some physical effort involved, so it’s a good idea to have water handy.
Will I need to wear a lifejacket?
Yes, that is part of our safety procedure. We supply lifejackets.
Do I have to be young and fit to do this?
Paddling a waka is something you can do sitting down! Because a waka team shares the work, age and physical fitness aren’t as important as they might be in other activities. Just relax, do what you can and enjoy being part of a team.
What happens if the weather's bad?
Please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
I have a bad back. Will I find paddling uncomfortable?
Sitting in a waka is comfortable and easier on the hamstrings than sitting in a kayak. There are no back rests, however. Only you know the extent of your back issues, so only you can assess whether or not paddling in a waka will aggravate the problem. If you are unsure, we recommend caution.
I don't know anything about Maori culture and I'm concerned I might offend someone
Please don’t worry! By sharing tikanga Māori (correct Māori etiquette), we want to give you a wonderful, cultural experience. It’s easy, relaxed and not at all confronting.
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