Transformational Retreats

The Whanganui River Journey allows you to relax your senses, unwind and fully immerse yourself in the natural beauties of our river, our land and our people. 

Experience the customary practices of our ancestors, as we give you the most peaceful encounter of the tranquil environment we call home.  Interact with the first river in the World to be granted legal personhood & become immersed in the river’s magic.

The journeys we offer provide wilderness adventures through the most amazing stretches of the Whanganui National Park and others in places outside of the National Park exploring areas that are overlooked and less seen.

A voyage in our 6 man or 2 man waka that carves its way through the heart of our region will give all who experience it, an insight into the way Māori traversed the river waters in days gone by.

The river’s unique diversity reveals itself with some more placid sections through deep gorges and other more challenging rapids that test the skill of your cultural river guide.

Scheduled breaks allow you to discover and explore the wonders of the land as you enjoy scenic bush walks and historic sites that help paint a picture of the traditional lives of our ancestors.

It is the sweet sound of the river birds that will seduce your senses, as you appreciate the overwhelming flora and fauna that cloaks the riverbanks.

Away from the necessities of home, our multi-day retreats spend each night hosted at traditional pa sites where our team welcome you in the customs of our fore-bearers with pōwhiri (traditional Māori welcome) and kai (food).

Each evening is a time of sharing and caring as we join together in what we call ‘whakamoemiti.’ (A time to acknowledge the blessings each day has exposed us to) blessed with kōrero (stories) and waiata(songs) that have been passed down through generations.

Our 1 Day experiences provide the opportunity to get a snap shot in the customary traditions carried by Māori in relation to the majestic waters of Whanganui as it navigates its way from the great mountain clan in the central plateau of the North Island out to the Tasman Sea.

Whether you join a one day river experience or a multi-day trip, you’ll be sure to be transformed by the sacred waters of the Whanganui river.

1 Day Journey

Our 1 Day River Retreats offer people the opportunity to meet, first hand, the first river in the World to be granted legal personhood.  Within the space of about 6 hours, you’ll be immersed in tikanga (customary Māori practice), as an invitation for you to join us in a journey together to explore the river’s historical narratives and wonders.  We craft our one day experience with waiata (songs) and kōrero (stories) that give you an understanding of what it used to be like in this area in days gone by!

Although our time together is only short, we facilitate an experience where people feel connected to the Whanganui river in a way that catalysts the notion of connection to the World’s waters.  Our one day experience really brings to life a saying we hold dear as follows:  “Land divides us all and water connects us.  And as the river flows from the source in the mountains to the sea, it travels beyond the horizon to the great abyss, where the World’s waters join together as one.”  Ideal for organisations, workplaces & education groups looking to deepen their understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi and how the Whanganui River is an example of collaboration, acceptance and innovation in a legal context.  Whether you’re from Aotearoa or the Globe, our one day river experience will have you mesmerised by rich stories that truly help you connect to yourself, to others and to the environment.

4 Day Journey - Standard

Day One:

Starting in Whanganui, Ohakune or in Whakahoro, the day begins early with a drive to Whakahoro, the home of the Blue Duck.

From here, following a whakatau (formal welcome), safety brief and packing the waka (canoe) you’ll embark with a river navigator towards Mangapāpapa Kāinga, an old māori settlement.

Along the way you’ll pass some historic sites, hear some stories passed down through generations and enjoy the beauty that this section of river boasts.

This first days paddle is the longest of the three days but the mystical scenery makes it all worth while.

Day Two:

Breakfast prepared by your guide sets you up ready for departure at around 9am.

A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamōmona River takes you to the home of the Patupaiarehe – People of the Mist, a campsite called Mangawaiti.

After morning tea you’ll make your way towards the bridge to nowhere, a popular bush walk (45min each way) and then continue paddling towards Tieke Kāinga, one of the most beautiful marae along the Whanganui River.

Be prepared to sing a waiata (song) for the traditional welcoming process and you’ll be able to sleep with the locals in the wharenui (meeting house.)

Day Three:

Treated with a rest day, with the intention to give people an opportunity to soak up the rich scenery around them.  There are experiential & transformative gems in this day that can be hard to describe in words.  You’ll embrace traditional Māori culture yourself, stand in the shoes of our ancestors that lived here in years before and grow and understanding of key Māori values such as manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga & aroha.

Day Four:

After an hour and half of paddling through steep gorges and magical reflections, you’ll reach the untouched waters of the Manganui o te Ao.

A few bends more and some of the rivers most exciting rapids await as you make your final strokes, past the eel weirs towards Pipiriki, your final destination.

This experience is truly a deep & immersive experience that will leave you transformed in a way unlike any other experience in the World.

5 Day Journey - Premium

Day One:

Accommodation will be organised in the National Park area (close the the retreat entry point) the day before to give you an opportunity to meet our team, immerse yourself into our river World and allow your senses to retreat and unwind.  Our premium river retreats maximise the power of people pairing a river guide team with transformative Facilitators.  Together, we combine the best navigating an experience on the Whanganui river with the art of translating that experience into useable tools that can be used beyond the experience itself.  This day is truly pivotal in setting up the group for a life changing experience.

Day Two:

After a relaxed evening in a lodge, the day begins with a drive to Whakahoro, the home of the Blue Duck.  From here, following a whakatau (formal welcome), safety brief and packing the waka (canoe) you’ll embark with a river navigator towards Mangapāpapa Kāinga, an old māori settlement.  Along the way you’ll pass some historic sites, hear some stories passed down through generations and enjoy the beauty that this section of river boasts.  This first day's paddle is the longest of the three days but the mystical scenery makes it all worthwhile.

Day Three:

Breakfast prepared by your guide sets you up ready for departure at around 9am.  A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamōmona River takes you to the home of the Patupaiarehe – People of the Mist, a campsite called Mangawaiti. After morning tea you’ll make your way towards the bridge to nowhere, a popular bush walk (45min each way) and then continue paddling towards Tieke Kāinga, one of the most beautiful marae along the Whanganui River.  Be prepared to sing a waiata (song) for the traditional welcoming process and with a kōhā to the marae you might be able to sleep with the locals in the wharenui (meeting house.)

Day Four:

A small sleep followed by a late morning breakfast will set you up for a day filled with facilitated experiences.  Experiences that combine the best of the ancient Māori world to wellness tools creating an atmosphere of pure magic.  You’ll witness the power in historic Māori traditions that help you connect deep within yourself whilst being immersed in activities that breed opportunities to connect with others.  The most powerful part of the day is spending time developing your skills in Māori cultural protocol where you’ll be challenged in the most graceful manner to stand in the footsteps of our ancestors to welcome other visitors on the Marae.  This exchange has proven to be a serious enabler of people growing confidence in themselves and a confidence in the concept of collectivity.

Day Five:

The final days paddle towards the journey’s end is an opportunity to reconnect with the river in your way.  A way that allows you to reflect on your wild encounter of the Whanganui river and process the gems that you might take with you when you leave.  Our team facilitate this process with stories, song & customary practice that empowers people in a manner that in many ways can only be explained by experiencing it.

Our premium river experience leaves everybody with a deep, heart felt sense of connetion themselves, to others and to the environment.  It is a truly immersive experience that will leave you transformed in a way unlike any other experience in the World.  We’ve not had a single person leave without the resonance of change, impact & transformation.