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
Yes, your experience includes storytelling and insights into the cultural significance of the Ōtākaro Avon River, alongside the history and traditions of the local iwi, Ngāi Tahu, and local hapū, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the connections between people, place and the waterways of this region.
A waka is a traditional Māori canoe used for transport, travel, gathering food and connecting communities.
Waka have been paddled on the Ōtākaro Avon River as far back as the 1700s. Māori first travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand aboard a waka hourua (double-hulled sailing waka), and over time waka became an important part of daily life and transport.
In Christchurch’s early days, before roads were established and much of the landscape was swamp, Māori and early settlers regularly used the Ōtākaro Avon River to transport trading goods and equipment. Waka also hold deep cultural and ancestral significance that continues today.
We currently operate two 14-seater Waka. We can have up to 28 customers per tour.
Waka on Avon run daily tours with various times available throughout the day: Kaitiaki (45-min waka experience), Te Ara (60-min walking tour) and Manaaki (75-min waka experience).
We currently accommodate a maximum of 28 people per waka and walking tour.
Bookings will be rescheduled or cancelled in advance if we do not meet a minimum of 4 passengers before our waka tours. This is a matter of health and safety, as well as your comfort.
Tours depart from 794 Colombo Street, opposite Victoria Square in central Christchurch.
No special level of fitness is required. Our experiences are designed to be enjoyable for a wide range of ages and abilities. While a moderate level of mobility and comfort with light physical activity is recommended, your guide will provide support throughout the journey.
We recommend comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions on the day.
Tours may still operate in light rain, but severe weather conditions may require changes or cancellations for safety reasons. Please see our Refund Policy.
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: info@wakaonavon.co.nz
Your Health & Safety is extremely important to us, and we take all care possible to ensure you are kept safe.
Because we operate in a Marine environment our team is
You can book with confidence thanks to our 100% refund guarantee (terms and conditions apply).
If your tour can't go ahead because of unforeseen circumstances, low numbers, or unsuitable weather, we will offer you a full refund or help you rebook for another date.
To cancel a booking, please email us in writing at info@wakaonavon.co.nz
If you cancel at least 24 hours before your paddle, we will give you a full refund.
If you cancel within 24 hours of your paddle, or don't show up, unfortunately, we won't be able to give you a refund.
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).