Tuwharetoa

After being educated at Te Kuiti High School Hemi went on to study at Toi Ohomai before joining Kaitiaki Adventures, where he is now a senior 4/5 guide in both Whitewater Rafting and Sledging. Hemi is a valued member of the Kaitiaki Whānau.

Ngapuhi Nui Tonu

Born in Kawakawa situated in the Bay of Islands, After attending Kerikeri High School, Dan studied at the Nelson Institute of Technology where he completed his Outdoor Education. Landing his role with Kaitiaki Adventures Dan has become a Senior 4/5 Whitewater Raft guide. Dan has a huge passion for the outdoors. In his spare time Dan can be found fishing, surfing or snowboarding.

Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngai Tamanuhiri - Muriwai, Gisborne.

The Kaitiaki Whanau have been proud to have Dale as a part of the Team since 2008. Dale moved to Rotorua in her late teens where she attended Rotorua Girls High School, then went on to study at Waiariki Institute of Technology. There she achieved her Certificate in Adventure Tourism, a Diploma in Applied Tourism Management and Certificate in Photography & Arts. Over the years Dale has been a club representative for Waka Ama, World Champion N3 Representative with various other titles from Sprints to Long Distance. Dale also won Gold in the U23 Women’s Raft Team at the 2014 World Rafting Championships. Dale has been awarded a NZ Maori Sports Award for Rafting & Waka Ama & Te Arawa Sports Awards for Team of the year, Rafting and Sports women of the Year for Waka Ama.

Napier

Educated at William Colenso College, Curtis then went on to study at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, where he gained his Outdoor Certificates. Curtis's pastimes include hunting, fishing, diving and spending time in the great outdoors.

Ngāti Rangitihi, Tuwharetoa. Te Atiawa

Ruawahia2B Trustee, Kaumātua Ngāti Rangitihi. After a lifetime of environmental advocacy for Greenpeace & 12yrs on the environmental BOP board. Tiipene joins the staff of Kaitiaki Adventures, guiding us on a deep dive through our already ambitious sustainability journey.

Ngongotahā, Rotorua

One of the most experienced commercial guides on the planet with extensive overseas experience including; USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Italy, Nepal, Costa Rica and Ecuador. His experience is unmatched. Wade has helped mould an exceptional guide crew for Kaitiaki bringing his professionalism to blend with our already exceptional standards. Wade was schooled at Lakes High School here in Rotorua. He trained at 'the school of hard knocks' (in-house training) and boasts over 30 years working in the Whitewater industry. When Wade isn't on the water you will find him Surfing, Mountain biking, and Raising chickens.
As management of Kaitiaki it's not only a privilege to have Wade on our crew but gives peace of mind knowing that our customers will gain from Wade's experience.

Born in Otautahi, Chistchurch. Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu.

Raana represented Canterbury in Age Group Hockey until under 21’s where he made the West Coast Hockey Team while Studying at the prestigious Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Outdoor recreation & Adventure Guiding. After guiding in all 4 corners of the world, Raana brought his extensive knowledge of White Water Rafting to the Kaitiaki Whānau in 2010, where he currently works as Senior Raft Guide, Assessor and River Manager.

On leaving Tai Poutini Ben has worked for Kaitiaki Adventures. 5 years on Ben is a senior raft guide.
An outstanding sportsman capable of turning his talent to whatever sport that appeals.
His passion for whitewater has led Ben to do 3 first descents (including Huka falls) and has taken him worldwide to discover new countries, people and rivers.
Bens casual manner and quirky humour helps to put clients at ease.
Ben is a fundamental part of the Kaitiaki whanau, having been with the company since the outset.

Stevie is one of the original company shareholders and is still involved in the day to day running of the company. Stevie was prominent in the pioneering of the Kaituna sledging in 1999. He began sledging in 1999 and once Kaitiaki progressed into rafting Stevie followed suit.
Stevie's main outside interest is touch Rugby. He began in 1990 and played for Taranaki in the mixed open and has continued to excel. He captained the NZ mixed touch team on the tour to South Africa in 2007 and came away as the winners of the ‘Touch Rugby World Cup” As Stevie was self taught in the Kaitiaki environment a trip with Stevie is a true Kaitiaki trip.

Motueka, Nelson

Manu studied at MHS and completed his REO Rafting in Canada. Manu joined the Kaitiaki Whanau in 2017. Manu is an accomplished boater and has a passion for outdoors. Manu brings manaakitanga ensuring all his clients have the safest yet unforgettable experience.

Te Arawa, Rotorua

Geni is a Rotorua born and bred Te Arawa girl. After completing an outdoor recreation course at Tauranga, Geni then came to Kaitiaki. With her background in swimming at a national level, she naturally took up the challenge to sledge. Trained under the worlds top sledge guides, Geni quickly developed into the first female sledge guide. Geni's enthusiasm coupled with her determination is a great asset to the Kaitiaki Whānau.

After leaving Tai Poutini, where Glenn completed his adventure tourism course, he came to work for Kaitiaki. Venturing overseas to work but returning after each raft season away.
Glenn comes from a sporting background where not only kayaking, rafting and sledging became a big part but also surfing.
Glenn is an easy going sociable character whose amiable personality is a great asset to both the clients and the Kaitiaki team.

Born in Rotorua. Te Arawa, Tuhourangi & Ngāti Rangiwewewhi, Ngāti Tiipa, Te Atiawa ki Taranaki. Kayla has been a part of the Kaitiaki Whānau since 2013. Growing up Kayla attended Western Heights High School & TKKM o Ruamatā, then went on to study at Waiariki Institute of Technology where she received her certificate in Adventure Tourism. The Pene Whanau have been guiding in the Te Arawa Rohe for generations; there is a rich sense of Manaaki running through their veins. Kayla is also a World champion BMX Rider – She has won numerous titles including NZ Sports Woman of the Year BMX; Rotorua BMX Sports Woman of the Year; Te Arawa Sports awards, Whānau of the year BMX. Kayla also won Gold in the U23 Women’s Raft Team at the 2014 World Rafting Championships and was ranked #2 in the U19 Women's Brazilian World Champs R4 and #3 U23 Women's Brazilian World Champs R4. Kayla has raced in Waka Ama since she was a young girl.

Joel came to Kaitiaki directly after his Tai Poutini course. An extremely energetic person, Joel had no problem at directing his energy into whitewater sports. Joel is an integral part of Kaitiaki not only as both a senior sledge and senior raft guide but as an energetic presence within the company.

We are privileged to have Nikki Kelly within Kaitiaki Adventures. It is hard to sum up Nikki's many successes over the years. She is world renowned in kayaking having made a career for herself in rodeo kayaking, creeking and expedition kayaking. Nikki's rafting team has represented NZ since 1999. She recently took out the Top Place for the Extreme Down-River White Water Kayaking Championship held in Vail, Colorado 2009 and has been named the Whitewater Woman of the Century.