Explore the Waipoua River, Masterton by foot or bike!

You're invited to this whānau fun day exploring the Waipoua River! Learn about the history of the awa, its biodiversity, hear local pūrākau, and learn about conservation efforts going on to restore and protect the Waipoua. Afterwards, get hands on helping to plant trees alongside the awa, and join us for a BBQ!

Our mates at Cycling Tom’s are geared up to provide e-bikes for up to 30 participants on the day. Thanks to a discount from Tom, and the generosity of Masterton District Council, we are able to offer bike hire for just $28 per person (adult or child over 10yrs). We have a limited number of add on seats for under 5s available, and 2 x family bikes at $50 (1 adult and 2x children 5yrs-10yrs)

Please note that this is not a guided bike tour. You can grab a bike for the day, join us exploring the Waipoua, then head off on your bike to explore more of Whakaoriori!

We have a restricted number of e-bikes available. If you miss out on the bike subsidy, we would still love for you to join us at the event! You can join on foot, or you can jump on your own bike.

Please register via humanitix. We'll send out details via email about our meeting location, a map of the bike/walk route, a schedule for the day, and details about how to collect your e-bike if you will be hiring one.

Schedule ( Register to be sent a location map)

We’re looking forward to an action packed day full of activities, kōrero and fun. You are responsible for getting to and from each activity, you will find these locations on the map provided. On the day, please ask a friendly kaimahi in hi-viz if you need directions.

9am onwards: Those collecting e-bikes can head to cycling Toms to collect your bike and complete your H&S forms, before joining us at the starting point:

10am: Starting point: Colombo Road (1): The first spot on our journey! Maddy and Kara from Mountains to Sea Wellington will lead an investigation of the fish biodiversity and water quality of the Waipoua.

11am: Robinson Park (2): Join Joe from Potangaroa Education for kōrero about the history of the Waipoua. Hear about including previous flow paths of the Waipoua, and local pūrakau.

11.45: Whitpoua Bridge (3): Hear kōrero from artist Sam Te Tau about the paewhiri panels on the Whitipoua bridge, and learn about the unique way these panels were designed and made.

12.20: Papa Wānanga Planting Site (4): The final destination on our journey! Plant a tree, have some kai from the BBQ and join Kara and Maddy again to explore the awa. Afterwards, head back to Cycling Tom’s to return your bike.

Event Collaborators:

Wai Connection: Wai Connection is a national programme delivered by Mountains to Sea Wellington aimed at connecting local communities to their waterways to improve them. We support communities and mana whenua with the knowledge, tools and expertise to monitor and care for their local freshwater places. Maddy and Kara from Wai Connection will be leading freshwater exploration on the day!

Potangaroa Education: Potangaroa Education is a whānau led organisation sharing history and pūrākau of the Wairarapa. Although Joe might be the face of Potangaroa Education, everyone else contributes. More info here.

Waipoua Papa Wānanga Planting: Sam Ludden and Janine Ogg are the faces behind the mahi at the restoration planting at the Waipoua Awa. They are working towards the vision of restoring the mauri to the Waipoua by replanting native plants into our riverscape.

Any pātai about this event, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team through events@mtsw.org.nz.