celebrating 50 years of adventure!
labour weekend 25th, 26th & 27th october 2025
Waimarino has a rich history spanning 50 years, evolving from a small kayak club into one of New Zealand’s most beloved outdoor adventure destinations.
As Waimarino Group marks 50 years of adventure, kayaking, and community, this milestone is not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating the people who contributed to the success of Waimarino Group over the years and inspiring the future generations to create, learn, explore and adventure!
WE ARE CELEBRATING ACROSS THE WAIMARINO GROUP! FIND OUT WHATS ON BELOW!
tickets on sale from the 2nd june 2025
labour weekend
Waimarino Adventure Park
- 50% off Supreme Passes, 25th, 26th and 27th of October 2025!
- Giveaways and challenges to be announced!
- $2 from every burger sold at Bazzas Burger Bar goes towards Waimarino Education Trust
labour weekend
Waimarino kayak tours
- 50% off Daytime and Evening Kayak Tours
- 50% off Evening Big Kanu Tours!
- Mini Trips on our Big Kanus at Lake McLaren!
win prizes and learn skills
Waimarino Education Trust
- Get your class involved and get in the draw to win a class trip to Waimarino Education Trust to learn about water safety!
Waimarino Adventure Park
50% off Individual Supreme passes
This Labour Weekend, enjoy 50% off Individual Supreme Passes at Waimarino Adventure Park! Don’t miss this epic chance to experience Tauranga’s ultimate water and adventure park at half the price.
Gather your friends and family and make the most of the long weekend—because adventure is better when shared! 🎉
Offer valid Labour Weekend only. Book now!
Tickets on sale from 2nd June 2025!
Full Terms and Conditions Apply, not valid for Family Supreme Passes, Birthday Packages or Group Bookings.
promocode: 50park
Saturday 25th October
The Hits Radio team onsite with music and giveaways!
Sunday 26th October
The music will be cranking, and we will have lots of challenges and giveaways to be won!
MONDAY 27TH october
Take part in our family challenges and be in to win the ultimate BOP experience.
check out our website for more info and follow us on socials @waimarinoadventurepark
Waimarino Kayak TOurs
Lake mclaren big kanu mini tours
Take a joy ride in one of our Big Kanus, perfect for all ages from infants through to grandparents. join us for a quick scenic paddle on Lake McLaren!
50% off big Kanu Tours
Join us on a Big Kanu Tour to marvel at the Glowworms, these tours operate in both Tauranga and Rotorua. We will have limited spaces available so book your tickets now!
50% off Kayak Tours
Join us on a Kayak Tour this weekend and SAVE 50% on the retail price. Spaces are limited so we recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. For last minute bookings please call 0800 456 996
Competitions- follow us on instagram/facebook to enter!
Win a Big Kanu Starlight Tour for 2 Adults and 2 Children. The Ultimate Family Adventure!
Waimarino Education Trust
Bazza's Burger Bar
$2 from every burger sold at Bazzas Burger Bar on 25th and 26th will be donated to Waimarino Education Trust, so we can keep operating epic educational programmes!
Primary School Colouring Competition
Be in to win a programme with Waimarino Education Trust for your class! Submit your colouring in competition via your classroom teacher!
1st Prize: Win a Te Tahi Kayak Programme for your class max 32 students and one teacher!
2nd Prize: A Family of 4 Adventure Park Pass!
3rd Prize: A Waimarino Education Trust Swim Bag, and Rash Top!
our story
The early days
Barry and Barbara lead a busy life, involved heavily in the Tauranga community.
They had three wonderful children, Brigitte, Blair and Ursula who would continue to grow up on the property.
Barry and Barbara struggled to make ends meet and opened up a plant nursery in 1978 which helped keep the kayaking business afloat. Barbara taught swimming lessons in the pool at home, and Barry kayaking lessons for school groups as the business started to grow.
In 1996 Blair Barry & Barbara’s who was now 21 years old and returned home from university to help with the family business. During these years the Rock Climbing wall was built, the kayak shop opened and computers were introduced to the business!
Covid19
The era nobody wants to talk about, but must be acknowledged. Covid came at a time that Waimarino Kayak Tours was just starting to expand into Rotorua with big plans for the future! The Waimarino Adventure Park was in for an epic season with new products in development.
Overnight, the cancellations came flowing in and before we all knew it the booking calendar was empty and the work had dried up. Our staff from overseas were rushing back home. It was heartbreaking for all involved. But with a lot of hardwork, patience, sacrifice and determination, Waimarino survived.
However things were not the same, there was the what seemed impossible task of restarting. As the borders re-opened and tourism resumed, our hearts were lifted and we began to dream again.
1975 waimarino was founded by Barry and Barbara Anderson
It was a dream of Barry Anderson's "to teach kayaking to children of all ages"
With this vision in mind, a section along the Wairoa River’s edge was purchased. Barry and Barbara started operating with 6 kayaks and a small wooden shed. They soon became a successful education facility.
When looking to name the property, Barry and Barbara wanted to ensure the name reflected the area they were in. It was Dean Reweti who taught at Bethlehem Primary School who suggested the name Waimarino that roughly translates to 'calm waters' Barry and Barbara loved it, and thus Waimarino was born.
The early 2000's
In 2003 Blair and, his then wife Charlotte Anderson purchased the business and became Waimarino Ltd.
They had two wonderful sons Marco and Alec, both of whom have continued to work for Waimarino across all areas of its operations.
During the next 18 years Blair and Charlotte expanded on Barry's vision and developed a range of new additions and created the Waimarino Group.
In 2007 Waimarino Kayak Tours was developed and thus beginning the companies launch into international tourism.
In 2011 the Waimarino Riverside Venue (Then Waverly on Wairoa) was opened for Weddings, Conferences and Events!
Also in 2011 The Waimarino Education Trust was founded to continue developing the orginal dream and also offer After School Club and Holiday Programmes for children.
The Recovery and growth
Blair and Charlotte went their separate ways after Covid and Blair continued to manage the Waimarino Group with the help of his team.
Together they modernised the branding, started growing their social media presence, revamped their websites, rehired and trained staff and aimed to regrow the businesses and brand as fast as possible.
Since Covid Waimarino Group has continued to grow and expand and now has, just under 50 staff hired over the Summer Season.
The Waimarino Education Trust is growing and new offerings are being developed.
In 2024 a-quarter of a million dollars was invested back into growing the Waimarino Group. The conference and events venue was re-opened, Bazza's Burger Bar- an ode to Barry and Barbara was started and "Mothers Nightmare" a new inflatable slide was added to the Adventure Park offerings. A new 18-seater Big Kanu was also purchased for the Rotorua operation.