Eco Tourism

KAITUNA CASCADES – SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

As the original rafting company on the Kaituna River, we strive to act sustainably while providing a safe and entertaining rafting experience for our manuhiri (guests).

Backing onto the river and surrounded by the Okere Scenic Reserve we aim to respect, protect, and restore the ecological and cultural resources in which we operate.  

That’s why in 2022 we teamed up with and become a member of the Rotorua Sustainable Charter to help us in our journey to become an industry leader in keeping our workplace, local community and country a better place to work, live and play.

What matters to us?

People (staff & customers).  The safety and wellbeing of our staff and customers is paramount to us.  We will support our community and aim to share our sustainability journey to encourage everyone to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives.   

Restoring Nature.  We will focus on our pest control operations and continue to support the work of Predator Free Okere Falls.  Restoration of the native vegetation around our rafting base will be an ongoing project with removal of invasive species and planting of natives.

Responsible Waste Management.  Our goal is to reduce waste to landfill which we will achieve by focusing on sustainable supply chain practices and continuing to educate our staff and our customers on best practice.    

Reducing Energy and Emissions.  We will measure our carbon emissions and work to reduce these over time, and in the near future aim to be carbon positive! We will look for further opportunities to reduce our energy usage and find greener alternatives.

Measuring.  We will start to measure our impacts to better understand the causes and to track our progress.  

We Love New Zealand and want to keep it clean green & beautiful – if you’d love to help check out this link to the “Tiaki Promise” which has heaps of info and tips for travelers and locals alike. Happy travels !!

https://www.tiakinewzealand.com/en_NZ/

The Okere Project 300x218 - Eco Tourism

Eco tourism & conservation are really important to us here at Kaituna Cascades – we are always looking to make meaningful changes at our rafting base to lessen our impact and environmental footprint . We use an eco-friendly homemade disinfectant, recyclable cups, and have been busy clearing all the invasive plants that have crept onto the property over the years. They are now cleared and we have been planting native trees and plants to increase the food source for our local native birds. Click here to see what we have been up to at our base!

Predator Free Okere Falls - Eco Tourism

Predators Trapped at Kaituna Cascades

Total = 330

2024 = 97

2025 so far = 28

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Native trees planted around the rafting base

2500+

2024 = 1200

2025 So far = 0

Recyling - Eco Tourism

Diverted from Landfill Since Sept 2023

519.85 kg’s !

Last count – 16/05/2025

Carbon Emissions - Eco Tourism

Our Overall Carbon Emissions

Annual Emissions

 Year ending 31/3/2025 = 12.7 T Co2 

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  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  So much fun! Weather was a little bit miserable, but that didn’t affect the trip at all! Awesome experience and definitely look forward to returning with more friends. Pete and… read more

    Megan F
    August 5, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Loved the experience! First timer going down the falls. Instructors are awesome! Super helpful and polite. Highly recommend this place! Looking forward to visit again! (P.s shout out Cole ;))

    Ezra Ngakuru
    January 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Brilliant experience, great tour guides with a awesome sense of humor and make the trip rememberable

    Katie Holmes
    February 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  The team is warm and friendly. We had three 11 years old boys. They all had great fun. Don’t worry, you can definitely do it in the winter. They provide… read more

    KM
    July 1, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Unbelievable experience rafting the 7m waterfall this morning! Even more fun when the boat flipped!! Highly recommend! Great fun and great instructors!! Shout out to Pete From the Irish girls

    907alysonm
    July 9, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Awsome people hole lot of fun highly recommended, they have you having fun with a good laugh. Would defensive go back.

    Honeymoones2021
    April 21, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  It was a sunny but cold winter day when me and a mate decided to do the whitewater rafting on the Kaituna River. I had done the Grade 3-4 Rangitaiki… read more

    Discover38050536516
    June 25, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Fantastic crew, everyone was really fun and made the whole experience awesome. Felt safe the whole time. Water was 23 degrees too which was a bonus. 10/10 would do again.

    FinnM12
    February 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  We had an absolute blast! My bf and I and two others were captained by the brilliant Elvis and he made everything safe, fun and really enjoyable. The whole team… read more

    Megan R
    January 1, 1970
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Eco Tourism  Highly recommended. The staff was amazingly helpful and friendly. Our guide Owen (I hope that’s right) was awesome! He guided us throughout the rafting. Great communication. We never felt unsafe… read more

    Tanzmalik
    July 15, 2021
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