Mahika Kai
A cultural and culinary journey, celebrating the Māori New Year.
As Matariki rises over the Ōtakaro River, it signals a time to reflect on the past, celebrate with whānau and friends, and honour the stars that guide the season to come.
Take a guided riverside walk to learn our mahika kai history, board a traditional waka and paddle along the Ōtākaro River, concluding with a kai (food) fresh from the whenua.
Bookings available twice a day from July 10th, 2026.
About this experience
Mahika Kai is our most immersive cultural experience, designed for those wanting to explore beyond a traditional sightseeing tour. This experience reveals the enduring connection between whakapapa, the land, the river and the food that has nourished generations.
Beginning just minutes from Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, guests are welcomed with a mihi whakatau (traditional welcome) before taking a guided riverside walk to learn our mahinga kai history. You will then board a handcrafted waka canoe and paddle along the Ōtākaro, with the tour concluding with a kai tasting at the Ōtakaro Orchard.
Each dish you will taste carries its own whakapapa (genealogy), stories about the kai (food), the whenua (land) it comes from, and the people who care for both. A Kaipakihi (food preparer) shares their kōrero (stories) behind dishes of kaimoana (seafood), huawhenua (root crops) and rēwena (Māori bread), presented in harakeke (flax) baskets and pāua shells.
What you will experience:
Guests are welcomed with a traditional mihi whakatau (Māori welcome)
A 30-minute leisurely guided riverside walk alongside the Ōtākaro, Avon River
to discover the hidden whakairo (stories) found within carvings, art and urban designs
A 30-minute guided waka journey on the Ōtākaro, Avon River
Conclude your experience with a 30-minute kai (food-tasting) at the Ōtakaro Orchard
Māori storytelling and cultural knowledge sharing
Understanding the river as a living mahika kai
Insight into restoration and environmental care
This tour is perfect for visitors who are looking for:
A premium Māori cultural experience in Christchurch
A deeper Christchurch waka and kai experience
Meaningful group or shared cultural activities
Visitors wanting connection, not just sightseeing
Repeat travellers to New Zealand seeking something more immersive
Every Mahika Kai experience directly supports the ongoing restoration of the Ōtākaro, Avon River and the continuation of cultural knowledge sharing through guided storytelling and practice.
Pricing:
Adult
$170
Child (5-15)
$75
Infant (0-4)
Free
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The experience takes place on the Ōtākaro Avon River, opposite Victoria Square in central Christchurch. The meeting spot is at 794 Colombo Street at our office.
Mahinga kai refers to customs and practices associated with food gathering. It includes the values, knowledge, and responsibility of protecting natural resources that have sustained communities for generations.
Yes, the experience is suitable for families. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and guides ensure the experience is safe and accessible for most ages.
The experience operates in most weather conditions. If conditions are unsafe, guests will be contacted directly to discuss your booking.
A waka is a traditional Māori canoe. Waka have been paddled on the Ōtākaro, Avon River as far back as the 1700's. 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.
No prior paddling experience is required. Your guides will teach you everything you need to know before and during the waka journey.
We currently operate two 14-seater Waka. We can have up to 28 customers per tour.
Yes, the walking tour is designed to be gentle and suitable for most ages and fitness levels, with short walking distances and regular stops for storytelling.
This section of the Mahika Kai experience is a 60-minute guided walking experience and approximately 1km.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Christchurch conditions can change quickly, so layers are recommended.
The Ōtākaro Avon River is a culturally significant, spring-fed waterway in Christchurch that has long supported mahinga kai practices and continues to be the focus of ongoing restoration and community care.
You will explore cultural landmarks, Māori storytelling sites, carvings, sustainable mahinga kai gardens, and regeneration projects along the river corridor in central Christchurch - as well as delicious kai.
We currently operate two 14-seater Waka. We can have up to 28 customers per tour.
Explore our other experiences
Kaitiaki
A 45-minute Māori waka experience in Christchurch on the Ōtākaro Avon River. Begin with a traditional welcome and step into the role of kaitiaki (guardian) as you paddle a traditional waka and learn about the river’s cultural significance as a restoration site and mahinga kai (customs and values associated with food gathering).
Te Ara
Join a 60-minute cultural walking tour through central Christchurch, starting with a traditional welcome and following the Ōtākaro Avon River to discover hidden Māori stories and significant places along the way.
Manaaki
An in-depth 75-minute waka experience in Christchurch on the Ōtākaro Avon River. Begin with a traditional welcome, then learn the kaihoe warm-up and kaihoe haka before paddling a traditional waka on the river. A deeper journey into manaakitanga (the spirit of hospitality), storytelling, and the river as a mahinga kai (customs and values associated with food gathering and the protection of natural resources).