Leaving from 794 Colombo Street opposite Victoria Square this 45-minute waka paddling experience is an amazing cultural journey of the Ōtākaro Avon River by waka.
Experience the team and skill building of paddling a hand-crafted waka down the ŌtākaroRiver Avon, and learn about the importance of the waka to the earlyMāori culture. Enjoy early stories of Canterbury's Ngāi Tahu Iwi and the earliest European settlers, and the positive things they achieved building the city of Christchurch together.
Come and enjoy this truly unique special activity, like no other anywhere in New Zealand or - the world!
Maori Waka canoes have been paddled on the tranquill Ōtākaro Avon river as far back as the 1700 century. 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, both the Avon and Heathcote rivers were vital links and Christchurch Estuary - with no roads and nothing but low lying swamp, Māori and early settlers collaborated regularly to transport trading goods and equipment up and down the Ōtākaro Avon river.
Today the city is brand new and vibrant
