Todd, Lee-Anne and family at Kaiteriteri

Our whānau

Our family loves waka

Our family loves waka, the outdoors, tikanga Māori (correct Māori etiquette) and sharing these things with others.
Lee-Anne and Todd Jago,
with daughters Awatea and Aria

Manaaki tangata

Caring for people

Our community is at the heart of what we do

Our community is at the heart of what we do and we are passionate about uplifting rangatahi (young people) and supporting healthy lifestyles.

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.
Todd talking to young man

Your safety comes first

Passionate about supporting healthy lifestyles

Our community is at the heart of what we do and we are passionate about uplifting rangatahi (young people) and supporting healthy lifestyles.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 hosts

National and international waka ama medalists

Todd has competed in waka ama at both national and international levels and was a member of the team that took gold at the IVF Va'a World Sprint Championships in May 2016. He is a technical expert in the Adventure Tourism industry.

Lee-Anne has 20 years' experience in guiding, instructing and managing adventure tourism enterprises and has also competed in waka ama at both national and international levels.
Keri blowing a pūmoanaTodd Jago helps a small child with put on a lifejacket

What people are saying about our tours

star rating  Absolutely brilliant day! Highly, highly recommend Waka Abel Tasman for a fantastic and unique experience in a very beautiful part of the country. Our guide Thomas was fantastic, sharing fascinating... read more

Kiwicraig78
25 April, 2022

star rating  Our group of ladies absolutely loved this experience, Thomas was an excellent teacher and on the return trip we felt like pros (well nearly). Being out on the water was... read more

O135DXlindah
29 March, 2022

star rating  Wow, what a fantastic trip! Our guide Miriama was wonderful teaching us some Maori language and culture. The waka just glided through the water and the beach we stopped at... read more

avatar thumb DeborahM288
8 December, 2022

"Manaaki moana, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua"

Care for the sea, care for the people, move forward as one

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

Make a booking today

Treat you and your team whānau to a new adventure that's as old as civilisation itself. Feel the breeze on your face, the drag of the water against your paddle and the hugely rewarding sense of working together as one. Paddling waka connects you to a rich cultural heritage but it's also great fun. Prepare to get hooked!
Lee-Anne teaching students about waka on the beach at Kaiteriterithe jago whanau at KaiteriteriTodd Jago teaching people how to paddle waka on the beach at Kaiteriteri