Where to Go: the 15 Best White Water Rafting in New Zealand

1.Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,952 reviews · from $83Our pick

Raft the Kaituna River through a subtropical canyon with an experienced guide such as George, Luca, Tor, or Riley. No experience is needed, and wetsuits, helmets, booties, paddles, and safety gear are supplied. Expect about an hour on the river, three waterfalls, Grade 5 action, and a free sauna afterward.

“It is an intense but very fun experience. The pictures are true to life. We are in our 60’s and not very fit and we did fine.”

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2.Rafting Rotorua: Kaituna River White Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,274 reviews · 2h 30m · from $83

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a 150-minute Kaituna River rafting trip through native forest and steep canyons. Expert guides such as Aoife, Jack, Kyle, and Reiya lead first-timers through 14 rapids and three waterfalls, including 7-metre Tutea Falls. Hotel pickup, gear, and safety training are included.

“Overall amazing. Got picked up from accommodation, great safety and very fun guides. Great time!”

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3.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,274 reviews · from $83

You’ll raft 11 rapids and three waterfalls on the Kaituna River, including 7-meter Tutea Falls, the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. Guides such as Malcolm, Flynn, and Hamish lead the action. The Grade 5 trip suits fit, confident participants aged 13 to 65 and under 120 kilograms.

“Our FAVORITE excursion on our New Zealand Cruise. Malcom - our guide - AMAZING. Two in our group were VERY nervous because of the falls. However, did an amazing job on the safety briefing - with humor - that helped them relax. TRead more”

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4.Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $83

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a guided Kaituna River run through native forest and volcanic gorge. You’ll tackle more than 14 rapids and the 7-metre Tutea Falls with Māori and local guides such as Jack, Hudson, Ben, and Reiya. Gear, safety briefing, and central Rotorua transfers are included.

“The Rapids are awesome! The scenery is amazing! The water fall drop is outstanding! The guides are so much fun to be around! Highly recommended!”

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5.Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 388 reviews · from $84

Join River Rats for a three-hour Kaituna River rafting trip from Rotorua. After a 15 to 20-minute safety lesson, you’ll paddle through a fern-lined gorge, tackle 14 rapids, and raft over 7-meter Tutea Falls with guides such as Zack, Dave, Amy, or Neville.

“The most amazing experience! Would recommend to anyone physically able!! me and the boyf want to go again now!”

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6.Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 324 reviews · 2 hours · from $80Best value

Join Kaituna Cascades Rafting 20 minutes from Rotorua for a two-hour trip through 14 rapids and the 7-meter Tutea Falls. No experience is needed. Guides such as Malcolm, Bal, Josh, and Alex provide safety training, warm gear, and plenty of encouragement.

“We had an outstanding experience with our guide Cole (the OG!). He was patient and professional with my family of 4, three of which had never rafted before. Good emphasis on safety. It’s an amazing course of rapids in a short span of water. Would recommend for anyone who’s interested in an exhilarating experience.”

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7.Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · from $154

Trade Queenstown for a half-day run through Shotover Canyon. You will ride Skippers Canyon Road, practise with a guide such as Morgan, Jess, or Benji, then tackle grade 3 to 5 rapids and the 170-metre Oxenbridge Tunnel. Gear, transport, photos, and hot showers are included.

“Tuition and safety were brilliant. Chat and banter excellent. Experience great. Good half day out including the scary drive out there. Would recommend.”

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8.Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 234 reviews · from $175

Travel through Skippers Canyon by coach, suit up with guides such as Jess, Morgan, or Benji, then raft 16 kilometers of the Shotover River. Expect calm stretches, grade 3 to 5 rapids, the dark Oxenbridge Tunnel, Cascade Rapid, hot showers, and digital photos afterward.

“Such an enjoyable trip! Our guide, Jess, was friendly and informative. Would recommend :)”

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9.Rangitaiki River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · from $121

From Rotorua, you’ll reach Murupara and paddle the Rangitaiki River through Grade III rapids, a Grade IV section, rock walls, and forest. Jesse and Cody are among the guides named for this experience. Expect training, wetsuits, lunch, a flat-water pause, and a hot shower afterward.

“Absolutely fantastic!!! Loved it!! However, we were changed to the Grade 5 Kaituna river because the water level was too low on the trip we booked...I suggest booking the Kaituna river with the 21ft waterfall - you will not regret it!!”

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10.Rotorua Sledging White Water Sledging | Kaitiaki Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · from $86

Take a two-hour guided sledge trip on Rotorua’s Kaituna River. You’ll kick your way through rapids, float beneath kahikatea forest, and learn river skills from guides such as Jack and Kyle. Hotel pickup, safety gear, photography, and a maximum group of six keep the outing personal and simple.

“The tour guides and all staff were very friendly. Captain Jack and Kyle were legends and made it fun. Would definitely recommend to anyone that loves an adventure”

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11.Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 72 reviews · 4 hours · from $178

Join Challenge Rafting for a four-hour Shotover River trip with guides such as Jess, Raju, Benj, and Kai. You will ride through six rapids, paddle into the 170-meter Oxenbridge Tunnel, swim in a calm section, and return to Queenstown after a hot shower.

“Out of 10 Rafting:10 fantastic as you can see Mark was perfect Para gliding 9.5 Bike from Arrowtown:9 Shotover: 8 Kayaking: 8 Earnslaw:8 Luge: 8.5 Therefore every activity excellent. Rafting required skill, energy expended, safety , slowing and rock walk all gontributed to enjoyment. Mark was an ideal leader”

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12.Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $170

Meet at River Valley Lodge for a safety briefing and full cold-water kit, then ride 11 km of the Rangitikei River through Grade 1 to Grade 5 rapids. You’ll paddle hard with your crew, tackle 10 major drops, and return to hot showers after roughly four hours.

“Excellent knowledgeable staff, gorgeous river, and a super fun ride! Would highly recommend, and will be back to run it again.”

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13.Queenstown Kawarau River Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $148

Join RealNZ for a 4.5-hour introduction to whitewater rafting on Queenstown’s Kawarau River. You’ll get transport, wetsuit, safety training, and a guide-led run through grade 2 to 3 rapids, with swimming, raft races, optional cliff jumping, and the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid.

“Awesome experience for 1st time rafters ! Would like to thank Instructor Mark and RealNZ team for their excellent support/service ! Appreciate it !”

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14.Tongariro River: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 37 reviews · 4 hours · from $112

Meet at the Turangi base for a four-hour rafting trip through more than 60 Grade 3 rapids. Guides such as Sarah and Fletcher lead the paddling, safety briefing, and river run. Bring swimwear, a towel, and personal medication. Photos cost extra.

“Awesome thrilling fun! Fletcher our guide was fabulous! Very supportive, caring, informative and attentive. Made me feel safe and confident and had us all engaging as a group and working seamlessly as a “team”. Felt very nervous before the activity wondering if I’d made the right decision with not being a high risk taker. By the end of the activity wanted to do it all over again! Beautiful scenic river.”

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15.Rotorua Sledging: Kaituna White Water River Board Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 2h 30m · from $86

Spend about an hour in the Kaituna River, steering your own sled through rapids with fins on your feet. Guides such as Andy, Caruzo, and Ben provide safety coaching, river skills, and Māori context. Hotel pickup, wetsuits, and a six-person group make this a focused Rotorua adventure.

“Guides were great and we had a blast sledging on the river! Would highly recommend!”

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