Our Experiences
Paddle, Walk, Taste, Discover.
Stories of the Ōtākaro Avon River, told by those who know it best
Step into the stories, traditions and living culture of Waka on Avon. Our immersive Christchurch experiences connect you to the history, people and landscapes that shape this place — through storytelling, cultural connection and unforgettable moments on the water and along the river corridor.
Choose your experience
Mahika Kai
Walk | Waka | Kai | 90 Mins NZD $120 pp
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.
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).
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).