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 empower people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to develop life skills, confidence and connection through the outdoors.

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 adventure helps people build confidence, develop life skills, and connect with nature, others, and themselves.

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
Staff development days or team-building adventures on the water
Canoe skills courses, coaching & leadership workshops
User-paid school camps for students keen to explore and learn 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

Some people join us to learn new skills. Others come to connect with their peers, challenge themselves, or spend time in nature.

Whatever brings them here, our journeys create opportunities for growth, connection and discovery.

For many participants, our programmes are:

• a first time in a canoe

• a boost in confidence

• a chance to build friendships and teamwork

• a reminder that they are capable of more than they realised

Tautoko Mai

Support Our Mahi

Each year, more than 600 people take part in Wilderness Canoe Trust adventures that build confidence, resilience, teamwork and connection with the natural world.

As a small charity, we rely on the generosity of our community to help make future journeys possible. Your support helps ensure these life-changing experiences remain accessible for years to come.

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