I would go with an Alpacka Mage and do some rad packraft trips personally.

 

Ive been looking at the mage! One of my concerns though is with packraft durability on shallow rocky creek runs (my favorite). Have you put one through its paces on something like that? I tend to be hard on gear…

 

I'm jealous. I was down there in 2004, didn't hit any rivers, but did a lot of sea kayaking which was also awesome.

 

We’re definitely wanting to sea kayak as well if you’ve got any good trip ideas! I just figured that would be something to rent or buy used over there as im not going to take an inflatable on the open ocean

 

Hyside Minimax. Great boat, 67lbs so you can check as sporting equipment, Hypalon so durable as hell. Can get a Welfelt frame for lightweight overnights or you can R2 it with your babe.

I’m sure you could buy something down there too?

 

Sounds like you should just buy a Waka Skuxx while you’re in the neighborhood

I lived in NZ 2013-2014. Goddamn wonderful country. I live in the PNW and the South Island is like the Olympic Peninsula on steroids. Alas I wasn’t doing much whitewater while I was there but hiked over 1000 miles during my time. Hit the trails as well. The sea kayaking is kickass, Abel Tasman comes to mind, but the sand flies will feast on your ass. Once you’re a bit away from the beach no sand flies but they are truly a horror.
I would try to hook up with some whitewater kiwis and given how amicable they are in general, folks will no doubt show you around or give you tips. My one comment would be access, when you’re in the bush in New Zealand, it’s deep. It’s a big country but there are not a ton of roads in the more remote stretch’s. Gaining access to some runs I’m sure would be more feasible with a pack raft style mission than heavy rubber.

enjoy your stay!

 

This is good to know, thanks dude!

 

Got it all down there. I would try as hard as humanly possible to find a kiwi girl to marry first and foremost . Then you can buy all the boats and paragliders and surfboards and jet boats and sailing vessels and every other fun toy after you’ve established your ranch. Lol! Iam sure you can rent borrow or buy there and make it easier? Wish I was going!

 

Hahah well I've got a nice girl from Rhode Island that’s already too good for me! Maybe in my next lifetime or when she realizes she can do better😂

 

I kayak surfed at Raglan!

Also went to the Kiwi national sea kayaking symposium in Orewa.

Abel Tasman/Marahau is touristy, but highly recommended for the interesting sea stacks and shore features.

We were at Punakaiki on a low swell day. I still regret not paddling inside

I didn't paddle in fjordland, but wish I had.

 

Fiordland was crazy. I got to spend two days kayaking in the sounds on a little ferry cruise. Mind boggling how rugged that terrain is. Sheer drop cliffs with dense beech forest descending into deep water. If I remember correctly when it rains in Fjordland some areas are the highest concentration of waterfalls in the world. One of the few areas in NZ I heard the kiwis calling in the night time.

 

Hell yeah thankyou guys for the insight! I definitely want to sea kayak while I'm there and I'm even thinking about taking some courses to get certified to guide sea kayaking as I have some experience doing that in the states. My time on rivers has made me abhor flat water but I still love the ocean!

 

Sent you a message with some helpful links and other info. Good luck on your move! if you are bringing a boat to NZ, make sure you read through all of the biosecurity requirements, they are pretty stringent.