Manaaki Waka Experience
Arrive as strangers, leave as whānau.
Manaaki in te reo Māori means to care for - and that's exactly how this experience begins.
Your journey begins with a mihi whakatau, a traditional Māori welcome led by local Ngāi Tūāhuriri kaiārahi (guides). From there, you are invited into the concept of manaakitanga; the practice of hospitality, generosity, and care, as you move from manuhiri (visitor) to whānau (family).
Before entering the waka, you will learn a traditional kaihoe (paddler) warm-up game and kaihoe haka, connecting physically and culturally to the experience ahead. You will then paddle the spring-fed waters of the Ōtākaro, Avon River, a living mahinga kai that has sustained generations.
Throughout the journey, guides share mātauranga (knowledge passed through generations), storytelling, and insights into the ongoing restoration of the river corridor.
Rated the #1 cultural visitor experience in Christchurch
Every Manaaki experience directly supports the ongoing restoration of the Ōtākaro, Avon River and the continuation of cultural knowledge sharing through guided storytelling and practice.
The Experience
This is a more in-depth Māori cultural experience in Christchurch, designed for those wanting more than a short introduction. The Manaaki waka tour offers time to slow down, connect, and engage with both the river and its stories on a deeper level.
A mihi whakatau (traditional Māori welcome).
Learn a kaihoe (paddler) warm-up game and kaihoe haka.
A 75-minute guided waka journey on the Ōtākaro, Avon River.
Māori storytelling and cultural knowledge sharing.
Understanding the river as a living mahinga kai.
Insight into restoration and environmental care.
THE PERFECT TOUR FOR:
Those seeking a premium Māori cultural experience in Christchurch.
A waka/paddling experience.
A meaningful group or shared cultural activity.
Visitors wanting connection, not just sightseeing.
Repeat travellers to New Zealand seeking something more immersive.
Explore our other experiences
Kaitiaki Waka
Waka | Wellbeing | 45 mins NZD $79 pp
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 Walking Tour
Walk | Discovery | 60 mins NZD $89 pp
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 Waka
Waka | Cultural Experience | 75 mins NZD $99 pp
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).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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).
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.