Wai Maori guides are family too. Throughout the high season if they are not on the rivers, next bet is, is that they are at home with us, helping run our busy base.
So here we are: Rod Brown is one of the owners, and is very good at everything, including delegating. With nearly 20 years in the Rafting industry of which 17 years has been running this business, he oversees training, and operational procedures. He is one of first to be qualified as a NZ Senior Grade 5 Rafting Assessor, and prior to this he obtained NZ Senior Ski Patroller Assessor status as well, with 14 years experience ski patrolling. He is on the rivers often, guiding people from all over the world, through turbulent rapids of freshwater, with many a cultural legend told along the way. Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Rangitihi and Ngati Haua are his main tribal affiliations.
Tui Brabyn is another owner. Not often enough on the river, but a Senior Grade 3 Raft Guide, and mother with Rod, of 2 children Raumati and Ngaraima. There is way more to the business than the guiding, so for much of time, behind the scenes you'll find Tui. Busy too, with hiring out kayaks for the Self Guided Lake and Stream trips, and driving everyone around.
With effect from the 1 April 2008, Luke and Pianika Boddington took over the rafting operation of Wai Maori Adventures. Tui and Rod continue to be involved and still own and run the kayaking.
Pianika Boddington is Rod's eldest daughter and married to Luke. After nearly nine years which included studying towards her B Sc, plus being bar manager for two of Hamilton cities big night spots, we are happy to have her and Luke take over our family business of 17 years. It seems that her childhood up bringing of constantly being on the rivers has gone full circle, and she is back to play a big part in the Rafting.
Luke Boddington is married to Pianika and his background puts him in good steed for taking over the family business. Luke has been with us, intermittently since 1999, mainly spending the summer seasons, as our Senior Raft Guide, and off season instructing at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre. He also became a Professional Fire Fighter, but he too has gone full circle returning to run the all year round business of rafting. Luke is a avid kayaker and expedition rafter, having done a first descent in South America and trips within East Africa, to include with many exploratory trips on rivers throughout New Zealand.
John Wall (Ngati Tuwharetoa) is our NZ Senior Grade 3 river guide, who returns to us each year, having first started rafting with us in 2004. John has employment that many would envy, as he's on the river for nearly 7 months of the year. Then he's up the Maunga (Mountain) working on the Whakapapa ski field for the winter months, often snowboarding. But he is also keen on his days off from the ski field, to guide our raft trips.
Kiharoa Brown is Rod's eldest son, and though he is a full time builder, you will see him on many of his day's off kayaking and guiding on the rivers.
Year round we have a pool of excellent free lance guides, who we call upon on for our large group bookings, and throughout the winter.
