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introduction
 Kiwis
love outdoor adventure, and the sight of flashing paddles, flying
spray and ecstatic rafters exchanging ‘high fives’ is
an icon of the Downunder adventure experience. New Zealand’s
magnificent mountains and untamed wilderness areas are
criss-crossed by 1,500 navigable rivers offering a network of
aquatic highways for exploring the country.
The New Zealand Information Network has compiled this summary of
whitewater rivers to assist visitors to plan their explorations
beyond the mainstream tourist routes.
Our wild rivers are small by continental standards but have
deceptively steep descents. This produces short, fast rapids from
Grades 1 to 5, generally followed by slow moving pools that
provide a respite from the thrills and spills. Like all rivers
fed by spring snowmelt and heavy rain they are subject to sudden
increases in depth and flow rates.
Around 50 of our rivers are worked by commercial rafting and
kayaking companies. The other rivers require you to organise
independent groups with the requisite skills and experience.
Commercial operators can tailor a trip to suit your needs,
ranging from heart-pounding, adrenalin-surging Grade 5 roller
coaster rides to exhilarating scenic float trips on smooth water.
Half day excursions are priced from $75 and multi-day expeditions
can range from $300 upwards.
 Rafts are normally 4 to 8 person inflatable pontoon
boats, which are paddled by clients under instructions from river
guides. A minimum age of 13 years applies to the higher graded
rivers. Open two person canoes are called Canadian canoes in New
Zealand. One person sit-inside canoes are called kayaks.
Our regional summaries identify the towns where the main
commercial rafting and kayaking companies are based. In other
areas there may be canoe and kayak shops that organise guided
trips on demand or hire kayaks and equipment. The 100 Visitor
Centres and Information Offices throughout New Zealand will have
details of local adventure activities and the telephone Yellow
Pages will list companies under the Tour Operators or Tourism
Services sections. Comprehensive river guidebooks can be
purchased from leading bookshops and some adventure retailers.
So if you want to have some real fun, splash out on a wet and
wild Kiwi adventure.
Just slip on a wetsuit, fasten your helmet, grab a paddle and let
the fun begin.
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