ABOUT US

KAITUNA RAFTING COMPANY

NO.1 RAFTING COMPANY IN ROTORUA ON TRIP ADVISOR

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.

Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand
Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand Best rafting in New Zealand

MEET OUR EPIC CREW

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!
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
COBBA AKA TOM
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years experience: 9 years Countries rafted or kayaked: USA,
Australia, China, Japan & NZ
COBBA AKA TOM
Grade 5 Raft Guide with 9 years experience. Tom has rafted of kayaked in countries such as USA, Australia, China, Japan & NZ
ELVIS AKA THE KING
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years experience: 10 years Countries rafted or kayaked: USA/Alaska, Australia, Norway & NZ
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
KAYLEY
AKA H-DIZZEL
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years experience: 6 years Countries rafted or kayaked: New Zealand
CHRIS AKA
THE MEGAPHONE
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years Experience: 14 years Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Australia & Honduras & NZ
MALCOM AKA
WIND RIDER
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years experience: 9 years Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Morocco, Papua New Guinea, Australia,Micronesia & NZ
OLLIE AKA YOUNG SHAVER
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years Experience: 6 years Countries rafted or kayaked: Chile, Indonesia, USA, Mexico, India & NZ
ROB AKA ROBADILIE
Senior Grade 5 Raft Guide / River
Manager Years experience: 13 years
Countries rafted or kayaked: USA, Austria, Colombia, Indonesia & NZ
SAM AKA RICKY BOBBY
Grade 5 Raft Guide Years experience: 14 years Other countries rafted: USA, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Sumatra, Lao & NZ
OMAYRA AKA OMY AKA
THE ITALIAN
Photographer Extraordinaire Years
experience: 9 years

WHY WE ARE NO.1

kaituna_cascades_rafting_rotorua_asset_4
HOME OF THE WORLD’S HIGHTEST COMMERCIALLY RAFTED WATERFALL
EXPERT GUIDES WITH UNMATCHED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
THE AUTHENTIC NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-CONCIOUS TOURISM
THE PERFECT ADVENTURE FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS
SMALL GROUP TOURS FOR A PERSONALISED EXPERIENCE

NOT CONVINCED?

LET OUR RAFTERS TELL YOU ABOUT
THEIR TIME WITH US
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.
This was a great couple bonding experience that took us both to the edge of our comfort zones. Could not speak highly enough of the professionalism of the guiding team - yet making the whole experience one of such fun.
MY FAVOURITE EXPERIENCE IN NZ SO FAR. TOOK THE 9AM TOUR TODAY AND ALREADY CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK. THE RAFTING WAS SO MUCH FUN AND THE TOUR GUIDES ARE HILARIOUS. NEVER FELT IN ANY DANGER JUST ENJOYED THE RIDE! WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. I WENT AS A SOLO TRAVELLER AND IT WAS STILL REALLY ENJOYABLE.
Brilliant! We had heaps of fun. Guides were friendly and made us feel safe and comfortable. Highly recommended to all!

Fantastic outfit. The crew were cheeky as but super professional. We felt safe throughout the entire experience. 11/10 and a big shoutout to Rob for being a GC.
White water rafting at its best. Wonderful guides. A must do when in or around Rotorua. Felt safe, but had the best time.
Great experience! Made me feel safe when I was scared!! You the m san Owen! So glad I did it. It is beautiful!
The guide, Sam, went out of his way to make the trip as fun and exciting as possible. The whole team were friendly and inclusive.
Cole was a really good guide, talked us through everything and had a good laugh. The water was nice, not cold at all. They provide wetsuits, footwear, helmets, life jackets and polo fleeces. Worth the money and would do it again. Recommend going in a group so that you can split the cost of photos.
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.
This was a great couple bonding experience that took us both to the edge of our comfort zones. Could not speak highly enough of the professionalism of the guiding team - yet making the whole experience one of such fun.

KAITUNA CASCADES
RAFTING COMPANY

Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company is the # 1 rafting company in Rotorua on TripAdvisor! We are the original Kaituna Rafting company & have been operating since 1991. Located in an awesome sunny riverside location, we are the Rotorua rafting specialists offering river rafting trips on the Kaituna River (Okere River), Wairoa River & the Rangitaiki River. For the best white water rafting in New Zealand, visit us in Okere Falls, Rotorua!
CELLPHONE:
+64 27 276 5457
EMAIL:
info@kaitunacascades.co.nz

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