What We Offer
Ā Mātou Mahi
The Wilderness Canoe Trust provides exceptional canoe experiences into Aotearoa’s great outdoors.
We offer adventures in canoes and bushcraft for people of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on hononga ki te taiao (connection to nature), fostering mahi tahi (teamwork), and developing environmental awareness. Our journeys support whānau-centered personal growth and holistic development through high-quality outdoor experiences.
Funded Canoe Journeys Haerenga Waka Pūtea
Canoe School Camps
Papa Kura Waka
Custom Design Courses
Akoranga Tautuhi-Ake
Funded Canoe Journeys Haerenga Waka
These day journeys are designed for community groups and schools who may face financial or other barriers to accessing the outdoors. We warmly welcome everyone and support a wide range of needs, including wheelchair users and people with varying abilities, so everyone can paddle, explore, and connect.
Each journey is valued at $700, but thanks to the generosity of our incredible funders, journeys can be partially or fully funded.
What the Canoe Journey includes:
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Group sizes - From small groups of 8 up to 22 people, depending on location, group needs, and programme design
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Ages - There’s no age limit! We welcome everyone from tamariki to kaumātua — we simply need to check that younger paddlers fit our kids’ life jackets.
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Times - Approximately 10am–2pm (weather and tide dependent)
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Equipment - All gear provided
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Locations - Nelson Marina, Stephen's Bay local estuaries, rivers and other options by kōrero.
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Experience - No prior paddling experience required. We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
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Safety - is always our first priority. We are fully safety- audited by AdventureMark, provide all technical gear, and our experienced kaiako have worked alongside people from many backgrounds, ages, and communities. To learn more about our approach to safety, see our Safety page.
If you’re an organisation looking to offer your members an unforgettable day on the water, get in touch and we can explore available funding options together.
School Camp Canoe Adventures
Papa Kura Waka
Flexible & Bespoke
Our canoe camps are a popular add-on to high school camps. Each canoe experience is designed to align with your camp kaupapa and schedule, and can run for one or multible days as part of your wider camp programme.
Why Choose a Canoe School Camp?
A canoe haerenga brings a real sense of adventure and discovery to any school camp. Working together on the water builds whakawhanaungatanga (connection), teamwork, and resilience, while helping students feel grounded in te taiao (the natural world). It’s a unique chance for ākonga to slow down, have fun together, and experience Aotearoa’s rivers, lakes, and coastlines in a way that stays with them long after they’re back in the classroom.
What the Canoe Camp includes:
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Experienced kaiako (instructors) - who bring safety, skill, and genuine enthusiasm to every paddle
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All canoe-based equipment provided - canoes, paddles, lifejackets, and full safety gear
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Easy integration with your programme - your kura leads the camp, and we provide the exciting water-based element
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Safety - is always our first priority. We are fully safety- audited by AdventureMark & provide all technical gear. Our kaiako manage all on-water activities so you can focus on your ākonga (students). To learn more about our approach to safety, see our Safety page.
Locations & Pricing:
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Stunning locations across Te Tauihu (Top of the South) - across locations such as Nelson Lakes, Golden Bay, Kaiteriteri and more.
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Pricing - From $95 per student (final cost depends on group size, duration, and location)
Skills Courses
Akoranga Pūkenga
Whether you’re a complete beginner or returning to open canoeing after time away, our skills courses are designed to help you build confidence, improve technique, and deepen your enjoyment on the water.
Wilderness Canoe Trust provides high-quality canoe skills training in a supportive and practical setting. Courses are tailored to your experience, goals, and the type of paddling you want to do, from gentle journeys to more adventurous expeditions.
These courses are ideal for individuals, groups, outdoor professionals, and anyone wanting to refine their skills and expand what’s possible in an open canoe.
What the Skills Courses includes:
Our training can be shaped around your needs, but typically includes a mix of core canoe skills, journey planning, and practical problem-solving. Throughout the course, we encourage you to reflect on your own paddling and leadership, question habits, and develop new tools and ideas that help you and others grow in skill and confidence.
Canoe-specific Skills
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Paddle strokes and efficient paddling technique
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Boat control and manoeuvres
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Poling skills
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Tracking and lining
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Canoe sailing
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Expedition planning and decision-making
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Outfitting: kit choices, packing, trim and loading
Training and Workshops
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Staff canoe training
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Workshops on canoe-specific coaching and leadership
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White water paddling skills (where appropriate)
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White water safety and rescue