Our Story
Two rafts, no employees, and a willingness to have a go
It started by chance
How time seems to flow on. So many names, times and adventures. But it started by chance, as many things do — chance, and a willingness to have a go.
When Ben acquired his first two rafts, things were different. Tourism New Zealand was finding its feet, the All Blacks would wait another 14 years to lift the World Cup again, and those of true adventurous spirit had just started flinging themselves off bridges, attached by their feet to a long length of rubber band.
We come from a country where having a go is worth a lot, and in this instance we're glad we did. From two rafts and no employees in 1997, to a company employing up to 10 staff and running up to 15 rafts at a time — tourism has come, and we are here to help it grow.
Built on words, and word of mouth
Ben is a word man, and it is this that built and grew his small family business. Words mean a lot when you're looking at booking a family adventure for a week. People need to feel trust and comfort that the product they are about to purchase is what they want, and what they believe it to be.
Using basically no advertising for the first 12 years of business created an interesting flow-on effect. Word of mouth. Why not just supply a product that people truly enjoy, with experiences that make a difference and adventures that last in the memory? So we did. And it worked.
People came and went. They chatted at parties and social events, and the next year we'd have another crew turn up who, through the advice of close friends, had to come and experience the Clarence River for themselves.
What hasn't changed
Times have moved on. Websites need keeping up to date and Facebook needs linking to smartphones. But we still believe in the basics. Money is secondary behind enjoyment — if we don't enjoy what we do, why are we doing it?
How we do things
Adventure in nature
Get out there, and smile a lot while you're at it
Look after Papatūānuku
The earth looks after us; we return the favour
Ask Ranginui
Rain when we need it, sun when we want it
Leave no trace
The river should look the same after we've gone through
Enjoy the experience.
Jordan and the Clarence River Rafting team
Enjoy the experience
Come and find out what people have been telling their friends about since 1997