Ko Tāne Waka

NZ's Ultimate Māori Culture Experience

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Paddle a waka on the Ōtākaro Avon River

After 160 years waka are back on the Ōtākaro Avon River. Join our inner-city river tour on board our waka and discover the history of our city, region, hapū, and iwi with local kaiārahi (guides).

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EXPLORE CHRISTCHURCH BY WAKA ON THE AVON RIVER

The Experience

Leaving from 794 Colombo Street opposite Victoria Square this 45-minute waka paddling experience is an amazing cultural journey of the Ōtākaro Avon River by waka.

Experience the team and skill building of paddling a hand-crafted waka down the ŌtākaroRiver Avon, and learn about the importance of the waka to the early Māori culture. Enjoy early stories of Canterbury's Ngāi Tahu Iwi and the earliest European settlers, and the positive things they achieved building the city of Christchurch together.

Waka have been paddled on the Ōtākaro Avon River as far back as the 1700 century. Māori sailed to Aotearoa New Zealand on Waka Hourua (double-hull sailing waka). Single-hull waka became an important part of the early transport days of Christchurch city with no roads and nothing but swamp, Māori and early settlers collaborated regularly to transport trading goods and equipment up and down the Ōtākaro Avon River.

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Pricing

child

FREE/$55

0-4 yo - FREE  5-15 yo - $55  All children must be with an adult.

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adult

$99

16 years and over

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family

$250

2 adults and 2 children

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our tours are 1 hour long, with a morning and afternoon session available to book online. If you wish to extend or shorten the tour to suit your group, please feel free to email us.

We currently operate a 14-seater and a 16-seater Waka. Meaning we can have up to 30 customers per 1-hour tour.

If you require a time slot that isn't currently advertised on our website, or if you would like to inquire about a specific time and date, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to accommodate.

We currently accommodate a maximum of 30 passengers per 1-hour tour.

Bookings will be rescheduled or cancelled in advance if we do not meet a minimum of 6 passengers before the tour. This is a matter of health and safety, as well as your comfort!