Packrafting New Zealand

Redefining outdoor adventure

Packraft Expeditions and Education in Fiordland National Park

Packraft Expeditions

The Manapouri Expedition

Intro to Packrafting

Wanting to try Packrafting?

This a 3-day self-guided adventure with a Packraft Intro and some Guidance. Perfect to see what these boats are all about .

The Hollyford / Pyke Expedition

Beginner / Intermediate

Undoubtedly the best way to get started in the Packrafting world. This 7 day trip includes 2 Full days of Packraft training and 5 days wilderness experience. Put your new learned skills to the test.

The Wairaurahiri Expedition

intermediate / advanced

Step it up a notch. Paddle the longest waterfall in New Zealand. A Journey to and from the southern end of New Zealand going over the Hump and paddling almost 30km of more or less continuous class 2.

online Store

Welcome to our Light and fast Equipment store! We are the official Alpacka Raft and Hyperlite Mountain Gear dealers for New Zealand. You can find brands like Aquabound, Kokatat, Salewa in our shop. Check out our shop for the full range.

In the store, we provide high quality packrafts and equipment, specifically chosen for performance, durability and safety, and lightweight. We are passionate packrafters and have tried and tested every item we sell and only offer the products we stand 100% behind. This is the same gear we personally use and trust. Whether you are a seasoned paddler or just learning, we want to make sure you get the best advice and gear for YOU. Contact us for specialized service and advice. We are here to help.

adventure TIME

The Famous Hollyford Pyke Loop

Every month we are going out on some packrafting adventures somewhere in New Zealand. The Hollyford/Pyke and the Wairaurahiri are so polular that we are doing them on a regular basis.

what our customers say

Packrafting New Zealand

4.7

Becky Jade Kinnear

2021-03-31T09:04:59+0000

Thanks so much to Arno and Andy for a great level 1 packrafting course. We learnt so much both on and off the water,... picked up lots of new skills and has given us the confidence of what to do if capsizing the boat! Lots of fun over the two days. Let's hope my lost paddle turns up soon!!read more

Michael Dickson

2020-01-26T21:18:53+0000

A great intro to packrafting - we did the one day '2 Rivers' trip and Arno and team were awesome - great instruction in... the basics and safety in the morning on the gentle river and then some fun in the afternoon in some more running water. The scenery was spectacular and the rivers pristine - can't wait to go again soon. Big thanks Arno Martenread more

Joshua Osborne

2020-01-06T20:21:21+0000

Really worthwhile course...learned so much, fun and relaxed group, had a great time, ran some 2+ rapids, and was... thoroughly worn out by the end. Couldn't ask for more.read more

Bob Perry

2019-08-07T06:54:07+0000

A really professional organisation. Excellent instruction and guiding and always willing to organise a flexible... programme that meets your needs. This is the third time that I have packrafted with Arno and his team and I would highly recommend Packrafting NZ to anybody, from beginner to seasoned packrafter.read more

Nick Owen

2019-04-25T06:23:15+0000

Fantastic day learning to Packraft on the Waiau and Eglinton rivers with Arno. Excellent teaching, skills practice and... beautiful rivers to paddle on. This has already changed the way I look at the mountains, rivers and lakes. I'll be back for more before I plan my first adventure with a Packraft!!!! 🙂read more

Bella King

2019-03-24T20:34:32+0000

Andy and Arno are the greatest pair you could hope to have guide you through an epic adventure. So much wisdom to... impart, stories to share and plenty of laughs to be had. Not overbearing or smothering with their expert guidance, happy to help whenever needed and always up for a giggle. Best week of my life doing the Hollyford Pyke loop, cannot recommend this trip and this company/dream team highly enough!! Do yourself a favour and link up with Packrafting NZ now!!! no excuses!read more

Matthew Tyrrell

2018-12-25T21:13:04+0000

Great Skills & Safety course taken with Arno and Andy, they did really well to accommodate a group with a wide skill... set and worked with my lack of experience to help push a lot of boundaries. Great fun despite the chilly conditions 🥶read more

Carl Justcarl

2018-02-13T07:03:55+0000

Professional with friendly and knowledgeable staff. If you want the best guides or instructors for packrafting in NZ... these are the guys.read more

Brandon Purdue

2017-09-04T02:56:40+0000

Great folk and great adventures, give packrafting a go, you will have a blast!

Rachel Prasek

2017-02-04T09:15:55+0000

Arno was such a fantastic guide and had us cracking up the whole trip. The sights were absolutely breathtaking and I... would do this 100x over again. It was a truly amazing experience!!!read more

Rachael Roy

2016-10-22T01:00:25+0000

Amazing trip great to learn new skills on the water. Loved how much fun it was and to see some spectacular scenery at... the same time. Fabulous way to get around on water and land, it's amazing how you can carry your raft anywhere. Loved it!read more

Astrid Maes

2016-10-02T06:43:25+0000

Katrina Tai Peacock

2016-04-02T00:41:58+0000

One of the best trip i have done in New Zealand. 😀

Joel Bilbe

2016-01-22T06:10:26+0000

Absolutely sick day!! The guides are great and the experience in itself is one of a kind. A must do!

Amy Bursten

2015-12-29T07:32:41+0000

This was the most relaxing and fun day. It was the highlight of my 9 days in Queenstown. Thanks guys I had a... wonderful time. 🙂read more

Sonia Bambi Stander

2015-12-13T21:30:21+0000

Charlie Vale

2015-11-09T09:11:52+0000

Best trip in Queenstown. An NZ must do. Go and explore mountains, canyons, rivers and get stuck into the great outdoors... before sleeping under a starry sky after laughs around the camp fire. A once in a lifetime, never forget experience.read more

Corey Bz

2015-05-17T09:45:07+0000

Mike Friday

2015-02-14T19:51:43+0000

Jose Orlando Marques

2014-12-20T08:33:48+0000

Muito legal!

Francisco Alves

2014-12-12T02:32:51+0000

Sherdil Khan Rohani

2014-05-16T16:52:52+0000

Georgie Carrington

2014-05-09T07:11:48+0000

Carmen O'Brien

2014-04-03T09:03:15+0000

Carmen O'Brien

2014-04-03T09:03:15+0000

Huw Miles

2014-03-14T06:11:50+0000

Next Reviews

Meet our outstanding leaders

Arno was the first to open a commercial packrafting operation on planet earth in 2011. Guiding and teaching ever since. In 2016 Andy joined the team and is now an integral part of the crazy German/American operation called Packrafting New Zealand.