What do the Indus and Keve rivers have in common? Mike Dawson, former New Zealand Olympian in whitewater slalom and expedition kayaker, reveals his all-time favourite rivers, the biggest threats to river access and how whitewater kayaking is like solving a puzzle.
"There is just a whole lotta love in kayaking here in New Zealand, for the rivers and each other." Shannon Mast was unanimously voted as Paddler of the Year 2022, at Whitewater New Zealand’s AGM. In this interview, Justin Venable dives into what makes Shannon passionate about whitewater kayaking and New Zealand rivers.
The Motu River lies in the ancestral lands of the East Coast Ancestor, Apanui Ringamutu. Blair 'Jah Lion' Trotman, with consultation from local hāpu representative Louis Rāpihana, shares the rich history of the Motu Awa and how its current kaitiaki (guardians) continue to care for the river today.
What does it mean to be a West Coast adventurer? For Rata Lovell Smith, a Wahine Toa who runs the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Outdoor Education Program, the West Coast adventurer is as unique and powerful as the landscape itself. In this river spotlight, she highlights Falls Creek – a West Coast kayaker's dream and 'a sacred chasm of water and rock.'
Dr. Laura Young is a talented botanist, ultra-runner, mum, and kea enthusiast who chose to dive deep into the study of New Zealand’s most iconic mountain parrots.
Imagine if you had a way of moving so quickly through the valleys and mountains of the Southern Alps, that you could travel unsupported for hundreds of kilometres with just a rucksack and the odd day of good weather.
Many of our articles focus on particular trips, events or opinions, but the team at Wilderlife thought we'd occasionally cast a spotlight on a few outdoor good sorts, to dig deeper into the wonderful individuals who make up our vibrant outdoor community.
Copyright is held by the writer/creator. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 NZ
