Wilderness Canoe Trust
Life skills through adventure

Nau Mai
Haere Mai

The Wilderness Canoe Trust is a registered charity guided by our kaupapa of making outdoor experiences accessible for everyone.

We believe that real-life adventures in nature help build confidence, strengthen connection (whanaungatanga), and deepen appreciation for the natural world (te taiao).

Our Kaupapa

Our kaupapa guides how we work, how we care for people, and how we connect with the outdoors.

Mission | Mīhana

To provide safe, inclusive canoe journeys that remove barriers and create meaningful outdoor experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Values | Uara

Whakamana

empowering people to grow in confidence and recognise their own strength and potential

Manaakitanga

caring for people with kindness and respect

Whanaungatanga

building connection, trust, and belonging

Kaitiakitanga

honouring and protecting te taiao

Vision | Tirohanga

Aotearoa’s outdoors are accessible to all - where everyone can experience nature with confidence, support, and a sense of belonging.

Ā Mātou Mahi

Our Work

We offer a range of canoe experiences designed to be safe, supportive, and accessible:

Fully and partially funded canoe journeys for community groups of all abilities
User-paid school camps for students keen to explore and learn on the water
Canoe skills courses, coaching & leadership workshops
Staff development days or team-building adventures on the water

Each experience is carefully planned, guided by experienced kaiako, and shaped around the bespoke needs of the group, ensuring a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Explore what we offer

He aha te hua?

Why it matters

Time on the water creates space to try something new, to have fun together, to feel capable, and to connect with place and people.

For many participants, our journeys are:

a first time in a canoe
a confidence boost
a reminder that they belong in the outdoors

Tautoko Mai

Support Our Mahi

As a small charity, we rely on the generosity of funders, supporters, and donors to keep our journeys accessible.

Your support helps us remove barriers and share more moments of connection on the water.

Ways to support us

Our Impact
Te Pai Tawhiti

421

Funded
Canoe
Journeys

4806

People
Engaged

90

Communities
Impacted

Our journeys help people:

Build confidence

Deepen environmental awareness

Strengthen teamwork and belonging

Discover joy in nature

Kind Words From Our Community

“Being lucky enough to participate in the Wilderness Canoe Trust’s canoe trip was invaluable to my shared class of students from The Base at Motueka High School. My children are a very diverse group of students with special needs. We have children with Downs Syndrome , ASD, Aspergers and a student who is permanently using a wheelchair facing a limited lifespan....The adaptive equipment we used meant that even our most vulnerable student had an equal opportunity to be out on the water in a safe and well planned manner.”

Sharyn Tasker, The Base