Kia ora

Welcome to Whanganui River Guides

Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au!

(I am the river, the river is me!)

Cultural River Journeys are our speciality!

Whanganui River Guides welcome you to the Whanganui River. We are a small whanau/iwi (family) business whom specialise in guiding visitors into ‘our world’.

We offer many options – 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 day trips that can be either guided or by yourselves (freedom hire) You choose!

If you wish to experience some of New Zealand’s finest Scenery, authentic Maori culture and learn of the Kiwi pioneering spirit,  “This journey is for you” Our guides are local Tangata whenua (The Indigenous People of the Land) and are tribally connected to the river, which adds an extra dimension, for you, the visitor.

At destinations end, our guides will extend a traditional farewell (poroporoake) that you will never  forget.
Whanganui River Guides are warm and friendly, we are highly qualified with tremendous experience.

Our Canoes (waka) carry either 2 or 6 persons, they are hand crafted and purpose built, with safety and comfort our priority. With highly skilled guides navigating, they are easy going and ideal for those who desire relaxation and tranquillity. Alternatively if you are fit and keen we can provide a good work out.

We are proud to reveal “first hand” the authentic history of our people.

Our Guests are taken too many historical sites, we experience parts of the river that very few visit. These sites are not open to the general public.
We often camp at these abandoned Marae sites of our Ancestors (the history here is totally fascinating and spiritual).

For example: - Niu Poles, (big) put in place by the Hauhau warriors. One Niu pole warns intruders of war, the other sends a message of peace. They are reputed to be the oldest man made structures in New Zealand.

After a few days on the river we welcome you to a modern Marae, her you get to sleep in our traditional Whare, not with all the tourists!

Our people have initiated a number of large scale highly successful Conservation projects. The ongoing conservation work will ensure the preservation of our native flora and fauna, forever enhancing the beauty of the river for future generations.

All of our trips are subject to weather conditions and river levels. With safety a priority we may postpone or cancel some trips from time to time, so please keep another day or two in mind. We have many options available and are very flexible so please contact us for any other information.

• Operates 7 days
• Optimum period October to May (summer season)
• Operational all year round

Freedom Hire trips have a minimum of 2 persons and all tours are a minimum of 4 persons

Please enjoy a sample of photos in our gallery and click onto our other pages to find out more.

For more information on the Whanganui River, click here

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