A river rules his life

It seems there’s no such thing as a bad day at the office for the man who founded Tongariro River Rafting.

As long as he’s on or near the river, Garth Oakden is a happy man. This legendary outdoorsman came to the mighty Tongariro River 28 years ago to do some rafting and never left. He met his wife Leigh in Turangi and together they founded the business and raised a family, all within cooee of the river. If you’re staying in Marram holiday homes in Ohakune, Tūrangi or TaupŌ, a visit to Tongariro River Rafting offers something for everyone. It’s a beautiful scenic one hour-fifteen minute drive through National Park from Ohakune and just 45 minutes from Taupo.

The thrill of white water rafting

Once there, Garth and his team of guides have a range of options to get you on the river enjoying the thrill of white water rafting, no matter your level of experience. If you’re lucky, you might even have the Legend at the helm.

In the 32 years since the business started, about 300 thousand people have taken the opportunity to raft down the Tongariro.

“Every time you go down the river it’s a journey of discovery. You cruise through the environment and leave no footprint,” he says.

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Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga at the centre of the operation

These values are important to Garth and his team.

“We love to welcome people to the place we live and share our passion for the river and rafting and we take our guardianship responsibilities seriously,” Garth says.

They have DOC funding to do Wilding Pine work along the river and also co-founded the Blue Duck Whio Project back in 2009, after a survey showed there were only 25 birds left in the catchment area. These birds who grace our $10 notes are one of only three breeds who can survive on fast flowing rivers.

Thanks to a trapping system to kill rats and stoats, there are well over 300 birds today.

There’s a Blue Duck rafting trip on offer where you can raft up the river, checking traps and stopping to study the birds. https://trr.co.nz/rafting-adventures/blue-duckexperience/

Blue ducks sighted on one of the rafting trips

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‘Happiest in the middle of nowhere’

When asked about that legendary status and how he achieved it, Garth laughs it off.

“Round here, if you’re seen in the same place more than three times you get that title, and I’ve been here since 1989.”

After leaving school in Palmerston North, he says his Dad asked what he was going to do with his life. “When I said I’m going rafting he asked how that was going to get me far. Well, there’ve been a few bumps along the way, a bit like being on the river, but here we are. Happy and successfully doing what we love. Does it get better than that?”

And he has no plans to leave. Ever.

Taking a break for a milo

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