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Whitewater Rafting Guide To River Trips

North Island

The rivers that flow over the North Island of New Zealand are extremely varied in character: from secret streams flowing through deep hidden gorges, to big powerful rivers flowing through broad mountain valleys.

Tongariro River Rafting Trips (Class III): An action-packed beginner river with over 60 rapids in one day.

Mokau River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): The Mokau starts at the base of Waiere Falls and flows through the heart of King County, past farmland and bush land.

Rangitaiki River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): A deep gorge with cascading waterfalls and vibrant, green scenery.

Kaituna River Rafting Trips (Class IV+): Suitable for both beginners and intermediate rafters, the Kaituna has the highest commercially-run waterfall in the world.

Motu River Rafting Trips (Class IV+): A beautiful multi-day wilderness trip on a free-flowing river.

Wairoa River Rafting Trips (Class V): One of the North Island’s most challenging rivers, the Wairoa is the perfect fix for adrenaline junkies.

Mohaka River Rafting Trips (Class III, & IV-V): With several sections ranging from Class III to V, the Mohaka offers trips for all rafting abilities.


More About Rafting in New Zealand

The North Island of New Zealand was born of volcanic upheavals–lava flows and bursting volcanoes. Now, its dramatic landscape reflects those impulsive and powerful beginnings. Whitewater rafting on New Zealand’s North Island grants access to beautiful limestone gorges, ancient beech forests, sandstone canyons, lush vegetation in the deeper gorges, breccia forests, impressive mountain ranges, sacred native worship and burial sites, and exciting rapids. One of New Zealand’s most famous rivers is on the North Island: The Kaituna is renowned for having the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, which thunders past a hidden cave that is an ancient Maori burial site.