Waka Ama and Guided Walk

Waka ama is the Māori sport of outrigger canoe paddling, and it is a living tradition across Aotearoa and the wider Pacific. This Mount Maunganui experience combines a hands-on waka ama lesson with a guided walk at the mountain, so you learn both how to move a canoe through the water and why the place matters. After a briefing from your guide, you take a paddle, settle into the outrigger and work as a crew, finding a rhythm with the people around you. The walk then adds context, drawing on local stories, plants and history. It is a friendly, small-scale activity that suits curious travellers, couples and groups who want something more meaningful than a standard sightseeing stop.

The paddling lesson starts on land with technique: how to hold the paddle, how to sit, when to switch sides and how to synchronise with the person in front of you. On the water, the canoe feels stable but lively, and the sense of moving as a team is the heart of it. Guides keep the pace gentle for beginners and give feedback, and the harbour side of the peninsula is usually sheltered enough for a calm session. Children and non-swimmers may need to wear life jackets, and the operator will explain the requirements.

The guided walk adds depth. Walking at the base of Mauao with someone who knows the stories means hearing about the naming of the mountain, the importance of the harbour as a source of food and the meaning of plants and places along the way. The details come from the guide's perspective, which is part of the value: this is not a scripted museum talk but a personal and local account.

Questions are welcome, and the conversation often flows into topics such as language, history and how Māori and Pākehā communities live together in the Bay today.

Clothing and comfort are straightforward. Wear clothes that can get wet and dry quickly, bring sun protection and a hat, and use shoes that grip on both wet decks and uneven tracks. A towel and a change of clothes are useful if you will be heading to a cafe afterwards. Phones should be kept in a secure pocket or left with the guide, since water and paddles do not mix with electronics. If the weather is too rough, the session may be adjusted or rescheduled.

The experience is best for people who like learning by doing. It will not make you a champion, but you will leave with a feel for the craft and a better understanding of the area. Pair it with a swim at the main beach, a soak in the hot pools or lunch on the main street. For those who want a more strenuous paddle, the stand-up paddle board lessons and kayak tours in the region offer a different challenge, but nothing else in the area has quite the same cultural flavour.

Think of the session as an introduction rather than a performance. Nobody expects polished technique, and the guides are patient with people who find the timing awkward at first. The canoe teaches its own lesson: if one paddler is out of step, the whole boat feels it, and when everyone clicks together the glide is wonderful.

Groups of friends and families often find that the shared effort and the laughter are the best part. If you would like a second paddling activity, ask whether stand-up paddle board sessions run on the same day, and remember to apply sunscreen again before the walk, since reflected light from the water is strong.