Our Story
In the Beginning………..
Kaituna Cascades was the first operator to start rafting the Kaituna River way back in the early 90’s! Long time raft guide and local guru kayaker Keith Hughes, started this legendary company in 1991 – Obviously only after a lot of practice runs down the formally considered “un-raftable” river with any willing friends, family or whoever was brave enough to test it out…..! The stoke was high, the river was unique and amazing, and it proved to be as safe as grade 5 can be – the rest is history.
After 26 awesome years of business, Keith retired and handed the reigns over to Pete Lodge, a Rotorua local who had been working for him since finishing high school, & Christchurch born, now local – Julian Mathison aka “Blue”, both who have been rafting for 20+ years. With a bunch of enthusiasm and new ideas, they continue to develop and pioneer new ways too have the absolute best time on our home river – the now world famous Kaituna River and “Tutea Falls” the 7 meter waterfall.
Our super friendly staff are our biggest asset, and are all hand picked due to their love of the outdoors and years of river experience in both extreme kayaking and white water rafting. The guides love being day to day comics with everyone that walks in the door! Having years of experience means that they can relax and entertain while keeping you safe! It’s like always hanging out with your mates at work having the best time, and that vibe generates the best atmosphere to create epic rafting trips, great banter and memories for you and the crew!
After 33 years of safe rafting, we are locally owned and operated by a couple of mates still currently raft guiding and loving life.
Being out on the river is our absolute passion, We look forward to meeting you!!
Meet our epic crew
Meet our epic crew
Sam aka Ricky Bobby
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 10 years
Other countries rafted: USA, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Sumatra, Lao & NZ
Chris aka The Megaphone
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years Experience: 10 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Australia & Honduras & NZ
Malcolm aka Wind Rider
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 5 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Morocco, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Micronesia & NZ
Cobba aka Tom
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 5 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Australia, China, Japan & NZ
Hayley aka H-Dizzel
Grade 3 Raft Guide
Years experience: 2 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: New Zealand
Omayra aka Omy aka The Italian
Photographer Extraordinaire cascade
Years experience: 5 years
& Kevin’s Caretaker
Christy aka Christie
Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 11 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Chile, Argentina & NZ
Pete aka Dante
Owner / Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 23 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: Canada, Colombia, USA, Peru, Spain & NZ
Blue aka Boss Man
Owner / Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 24 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Japan, Honduras, Costa Rica, Canada & NZ
Rob Aka Robadile
Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide / River Manager
Years experience: 13 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Austria, Colombia, Indonesia & NZ
Cobba aka Tom
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 9 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Australia, China, Japan & NZ
Malcolm aka Wind Rider
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 9 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Morocco, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Micronesia & NZ
Sam aka Ricky Bobby
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 14 years
Other countries rafted: USA, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Sumatra, Lao & NZ
Elvis aka The King
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 10 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA/Alaska, Australia, Norway & NZ
Ollie aka Young Shaver
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years Experience: 6 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: Chile, Indonesia, USA, Mexico, India & NZ
Hayley aka H-Dizzel
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 6 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: New Zealand
Eoin aka Owen
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years Experience: 14 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: Ireland, Scotland, USA, Australia, Nepal, Canada, Zimbabwe, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua & New Zealand
Chris aka The Megaphone
Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years Experience: 14 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Australia & Honduras & NZ
Omayra aka Omy aka The Italian
Photographer Extraordinaire
Years experience: 9 years
Christy aka Christie
Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide
Years experience: 15 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Chile, Argentina & NZ
IT’S A BIG WORLD OUT THERE
GO EXPLORE
Join the Original Kaituna Rafting Company for an unbeatable grade 5 white- water experience on one of New Zealand’s most exciting and beautiful rivers!
Come Join us and our awesome crew!
Come Join us and our awesome crew!
- Andrew D
Amazing team and a lot of fun! Big shout to Eoin who was a great instructor. Despite the weather we had great time. Would totally do it again. 
February 1, 2022
