By paddle

Ash Patea, 28, was born and raised on the banks of the Whanganui River.

But, according to the tradition of his tribe, Nga Paerangi, he wasn’t allowed to sail on it or navigate its bends and rapids until he was 12.

Now he teaches others about the mysteries and mana of the river and about the need to nurture and maintain its health for future generations.

Ash runs Ki Tai Whanganui River Tours, Canadian canoe and traditional waka expeditions that go beyond a simple paddle on a waterway. He wants people to learn what the river means to him and his people and how rivers are a great analogy for life: “A river doesn’t stop flowing because it meets a rock. We can learn a lot from that.” The fully catered expeditions range from half- to four-day trips, with stopovers at marae. whanganuirivertours.co.nz