Had an absolute blast riverbugging down Rangitaiki River rapids, it was so much fun for the whole family! Don and Sabine are very professional and informative, the sights and action was exhilarating, everything about the activity was amazing. Definitely a must do activity!
LaurenU – Trip Advisor Feb 2020
Had a chance to run these down the Wairoa river, in calm water and rapids. A huge amount of fun in the fast water. If you fall out, as I did, getting back on the 'bug' is simple, so you can just carry on. In the calmer areas, you can relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery - the water, the tree edged river and the hills and some cliffs. Thoroughly recommend.
Julian Ketel – Google Reviews Jan 2020
Kia ora ｜Welcome
Bug : Small insect, an enthusiastic interest in something
Get the River 'Bug' – with the Bay of Plenty's unique new water adventure!
Maybe you've already been rafting or kayaking, or just keen to try something new? Experience the exhilaration of riding the rapids on a funky inflatable riverbug, drift through hidden canyons and discover the stories of our special places.
Riverbug.NZ offer riverbug tours, courses, and activity programmes around Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne. We cater for groups and individuals with first-timer and family friendly riverbug adventures – from 'Mild' to 'Wild' for ages 5 years upwards. Riverbug.NZ are independently audited, licensed adventure tour operators, riverbug experts and pioneers of the sport. Safety, enjoyment and Kaitiakitanga (conservation) of our natural resources and culture are at the heart of everything we do.
TOURS & COURSES
ACTION BUG – RANGITĀIKI
Riverbugs mixed with generous portions of whitewater in a breathtaking gorge on the Rangitāiki river in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Great fun for adults and kids 125cm or taller. Half Day Tour from $119.
Learn More
FUN BUG – WAIROA
Explore the scenic Wairoa valley near Tauranga from the riverbug perspective. Drift with swirling currents, play fun games, and encounter birdlife. A unique family adventure, and kids 5+ can even join the fun! Half day from $89.
Learn More
BUG SUNDAY – WAIROA
Experience a roller-coaster rapid ride and surf the “Wairoa Wave“' during the Sunday water releases in the Wairoa Gorge near Tauranga. A totally awesome 3 hour adventure for adults and kids 125cm or taller. $79.
Learn More
RAPID BUG – COURSE
Learn whitewater riverbugging skills with the experts during the Sunday water releases in the Wairoa Gorge near Tauranga. Small groups and personal attention. Minimum age 13 years. $149
Learn MoreMEET THE TEAM
Riverbug is our passion that we love to share.
We love our mahi (work), and supporting community and healthy lifestyles through enjoyment of the outdoors is at the heart of what we do. We run guide training and riverbug programmes for rangatahi (youth) and Riverbug activities for community groups under the guidance of riverbug pioneers Don (Ngāti Kahungunu), and Sabine (Germany). When you join us on the water you'll be helping us to help support our community.
“te tautoko ngātahi i te hapori“ supporting the community together
Safe Hands
Don and Sabine have been "Team Riverbug" since bringing the sport to Austria in 2007. Together they grounded riverbug tour and riverbug manufactur company riverbug.me and established a growing riverbug community in Europe and other countries around the world. They are the riverbug experts, and have developed Safe Operating Procedures and guide training programmes for riverbug operators.
With over 50 years of combined whitewater experience between them – you know you'll be in safe hands
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES
Looking for innovative new extra curriculum activities?
Inspire, motivate and challenge your students with our innovative riverbug based educational programmes. We provide a range of whitewater and calm water activities catering for primary, intermediate, secondary, and tertiary students, with programmes including elements of conservation, history and Te Reo Māori. We're happy to tailor any of them to suit your needs.
BUG FUN ACTIVITY PROGRAM
Students will love this calm water riverbug programme with fun games, initiative challenges and a touch of Māori culture. We can tailor the programme to suit students age, number of participants, duration and location. SUITABLE FOR AGES 5+
Learn More
WAIROA RIVERBUG EXPERIENCE
Treat your students to some riverbug fun on easy moving water and swirly currents on the lower Wairoa awa starting from the Ruahihi Power Station 20 minutes from Tauranga. Play some fun games, encounter wildlife and learn about the local stories along the way. SUITABLE FOR AGES 8+
Learn More
RANGITĀIKI RIVERBUG ADVENTURE
Join us on the Rangitāiki awa for an extra special action packed class outing. Set in a stunning gorge, we'll ride the rapids, drift past cascading waterfalls and discover the geology and stories of the area. SUITABLE FOR AGES 10+
Learn MoreDo something different for your Christmas Party or special occasion...
with a GIFT VOUCHER or BOOK A RIVERBUG TOUR
Simply choose a Riverbug Tour or dollar value and send us any text as you'd like to it appear on the voucher, along with any special wishes and the address to send it to. We'll print the voucher and post it to you or email it as a pdf. Or if you already have a tour and date in mind you can just book it in.
TEAM BUILDING
INSPIRE. MOTIVATE. CHALLENGE
Riverbugs are great tools for Team Building whether on a whitewater river or calm water. Our Team Building programs will engage participants with fun games and challenges, where participation, problem solving and teamwork are the primary goals. Choose one of our program locations around Tauranga, the greater Bay of Plenty – Te Moana a Toi, or venue of your choice. Let us know your requirements and we’ll tailor a program to suit.
Learn MoreTHERAPY & REHAB
HEALING CAN BE FUN
Freedom of movement and direct contact with the water element make therapy and rehabilitation from the riverbug perspective fun and rewarding. Riverbugs can also be adapted for people with disabilities.
Learn MoreACTIVITIES
BUG BALL
2 hoops, 1 ball, 2 teams, let's Play! Water polo meets basket ball bug style – Bug Ball is super fun and easy to play. A few basic paddle techniques, an eye for the hoop, and teamwork are all you need to get started. A great group activity for the likes of schools, clubs, businesses or social groups.
Learn More
INITIATIVE CHALLENGES
The riverbug's lightweight, small dimensions and ease of use make them ideal for fun initiative challenges. Great for schools, community groups, and for cooperate team-building. Let us know your requirements and we'll select activities to tailor programs to your needs.
Learn MoreBUG SUNDAY $79
Check out our BUG SUNDAY for a fun taste of whitewater riverbugging on the Wairoa awa water releases on selected Sundays. We access the rapids by paddling and carrying the riverbugs (8 kg) up-river at minimum flow before the water is released. When water arrives, a bug-surf-session at the Wairoa Play Wave and fun riverbug descent of the rapids round off the tour.
GROUP DISCOUNTS
GET A GROUP TOGETHER AND SAVE!
If your group is looking for a new adventure that won't break the bank, then check out our awesome group discounts. Whether it's an exciting riverbug descent of your local awa or team building challenges on calm water, we've got you covered!
SOCIAL OUTINGS
Get a group of your friends, family, work mates or club members together to take advantage of our group rates. Discounts vary depending on the make-up of your group, number of participants and date of booking, with week day bookings outside of the public holidays attracting the best savings.
Learn More
CLUB FUNDRAISING
Clubs are always looking for ways to raise funds. We've come up with a brilliant scheme that will help boost your treasury funds while your club members enjoy a fun outing. Simply organise your club members to come on one of our riverbug adventures, and we'll give you a group discount, plus we'll donate a percentage of our takings to your club.
Learn More
BUG BIRTHDAY
Treat your kids to a fun Birthday – Bug style! Just bring along the kids and we'll supply the bug fun and any special wishes.
Learn MoreWHAT'S NEWS?
AROUND THE REGION
Maurie Kjar Memorial Swimming Pool
KAWERAU
A visit to Kawerau's awesome free thermal pools is the perfect way to relax after our Action Bug tour on the Rangitāiki awa. Yep that's right – the pools are free!
Tarawera Falls
KAWERAU
The Tarawera awa disappears underground then reemerges gushing from the cliff face as the spectacular Tarawera Falls.
Laid-back coastal town
WHAKATĀNE
At around 40 minutes drive from our Action Bug Rangitaiki Tour, Whakatāne, the largest town in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is well worth the visit while you're in the area.
McLaren Falls Park
LOWER KAIMAI, TAURANGA
Visit spectacular McLaren Falls and marvel at picturesque exotic tree plantings just up the road from our Riverbug Tours on the Wairoa awa.
Redwood Lane Blueberries
LOWER KAIMAI, TAURANGA
PYO organic blueberries, real fruit ice-cream and home made cosmetics – right at the finishing place of our Fun Bug Wairoa tour
Fernland Spa
BETHLEHEM, TAURANGA
Soak in a natural thermal spring just minutes away from where our tours on the Wairoa awa.
F.A.Q
Are riverbugs safe?
Do I need previous experience to join a riverbug tour?
Does Riverbug.nz have Covid 19 measures in place.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Will my trip run if it's raining?
Can I fall into the water?
Is it OK to do riverbugging if I'm pregnant?
TERMS & CONDITIONS
TERMS & CONDITIONS
We understand that travel plans may change due to illness, injury or people simply changing their minds. In turn, we ask our guests to understand that we may have turned away a number of keen people for those reserved seats on our riverbug tours and may have incurred staffing, food, transport and booking expenses.
Finally, our experience tells us to respect natural and human factors relating to riverbug activities and to operate only within the parameters of our Safety Management Systems.
- All prices quoted are in $NZD. Bookings will be confirmed once full payment is made
- Seats on Riverbug.nz Tours are limited and we cannot guarantee bookings until receiving full payment prior to trip departure.
- Client Cancellation Policy
- Client cancellation within 24 hours from the tour departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- All other client cancellations will incur a 10% administration fee.
- Covid 19 related cancellations will receive a full refund or a credit.
- There will be no refund on any portion or part of a guided trip once the trip has departed.
- Client 'no-shows' who fail to notify cancellation will not receive a refund.
- Riverbug.nz reserve the right to cancel or amend any tour for any reason within or beyond our control. In the case that riverbug.nz cancels a tour, clients will be offered a full refund, credit, or rescheduling of the activity.
- Bookings are accepted on the understanding that customers appreciate the possible risks in outdoor adventure activities such as but not limited to, injury, uneven terrain, inclement weather, other river users.
- All clients must warrant that they have acceptable fitness and no medical condition that will cause them concern during the tour activities. It is at the discretion of riverbug.nz guides if any customer is deemed incapable of any activities.
Disclaimer: Whilst all care and attention is given, Riverbug.nz , its staff and agents will not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any claim, loss, damage, personal injury, loss or damage to any personal equipment, inconvenience, costs and expenses, delays or irregularities of any nature occasioned by any circumstances.
COVID 19 UPDATE
The Bay of Plenty is currently at Level 1.
That means we can enjoy sharing our riverbug adventures with others under the safety guidelines set out by the NZ Government.
Because our riverbug activities take part outside in large open areas, and not in confined spaces, the situations where you are in close contact (within a meter) are very minimal. Due to these factors, we believe we are a low-risk environment for the spread of any illness.
Even so, we want to let you know that we are taking measures to do our part in minimizing any potential spread of, or exposure to viral infection in order to protect our clients and staff. Our hygiene regime ensures that equipment worn by clients is cleaned after each use and safe to use. We maintain records of participants on our trips in the event they are needed for contact tracing.
If you have any questions or concerns in relation to coming and safely enjoying riverbug.nz's unique experiences then please contact us.
Booking
ACTION BUG – RANGITAIKI
- Lake Aniwhenua Camping Area
- MEETING PLACE FOR ACTION BUG – RANGITAIKI TOUR
FUN BUG – WAIROA
- Redwood Lane Blueberries, 17 Redwood Lane, Tauriko, Tauranga 3171, New Zealand
- MEETING PLACE FOR FUN BUG – WAIROA TOUR
BUG SUNDAY & RAPID BUG – WAIROA
- 1443 State Highway 29, Tauriko, Lower Kaimai 3171, New Zealand
- MEETING PLACE FOR BUG SUNDAY & RAPID BUG– WAIROA TOURS
Terms & Conditions
We understand that travel plans may change due to illness, injury or people simply changing their minds.In turn, we ask our guests to understand that we may have turned away a number of keen people for those reserved seats on our riverbug tours and may have incurred staffing, food, transport and booking expenses.Finally, our experience tells us to respect natural and human factors relating to riverbug activities and to operate only within the parameters of our Safety Management Systems.
- All prices quoted are in $NZD. Bookings will be confirmed once full payment is made
- Seats on Riverbug.nz Tours are limited and we cannot guarantee bookings until receiving full payment prior to trip departure.
- Client Cancellation Policy
- Client cancellation within 24 hours from the tour departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- All other client cancellations will incur a 10% administration fee.
- Covid 19 related cancellations will receive a full refund or a credit.
- There will be no refund on any portion or part of a guided trip once the trip has departed.
- Client 'no-shows' who fail to notify cancellation will not receive a refund.
- Riverbug.nz reserve the right to cancel or amend any tour for any reason within or beyond our control. In the case that riverbug.nz cancels a tour, clients will be offered a full refund, credit, or rescheduling of the activity.
- Bookings are accepted on the understanding that customers appreciate the possible risks in outdoor adventure activities such as but not limited to, injury, uneven terrain, inclement weather, other river users.
- All clients must warrant that they have acceptable fitness and no medical condition that will cause them concern during the tour activities. It is at the discretion of riverbug.nz guides if any customer is deemed incapable of any activities. If you are in doubt or have questions please contact us.
Disclaimer: Whilst all care and attention is given, Riverbug.nz , its staff and agents will not assume or accept any liability or responsibility for any claim, loss, damage, personal injury, loss or damage to any personal equipment, inconvenience, costs and expenses, delays or irregularities of any nature occasioned by any circumstances.