Waimarino kayak tours
Waimarino Adventure Park
Waimarino Education Trust
Waimarino Riverside
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 business 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!
our story- celebrating 50 years of adventure
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 son -Blair, 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.