This is a one and a quarter hour tour that gives passengers a real jet boating experience as they roar under tunnelled willow trees, sweep past waterfalls and caves and blast into a natural gorge with exciting white water rapids. The jet boats are fast enough for the wind to blow through their hair, but slow enough for them to take in the diverse scenery.

It's not only the witty commentary from the driver that makes the tour so memorable, or the magnificent Ignimbrite cliffs along the Matahina Dam, or the great scenery. It's the exciting and sometimes heart-stopping moments along the way that will linger in the minds of passengers.

The Rangitaiki River is only 50 minutes scenic drive from Rotorua, the third most visited tourist city in New Zealand. Kiwi Jet Boat Tours was started in 1990 by Bill Roberts, one of New Zealand’s most qualified commercial jet boat operators, to tap into this tourist market. Kiwi Jet Boats offer an ideal tour for young and old alike. The tours have become very popular and tourists and New Zealanders come from all over the Bay of Plenty.

Now, after 15 exciting years, Bill has put his successful business up for sale. Kiwi Jet Boat Tours operates three jet boats and the business has full Resource Consents for access to the river and to operate tours.

Kiwi Jet Boat Tours offer two popular tours on the Rangitaiki River

Full Tour to the Aniwaniwa Falls (also known as the Aniwhenua Falls)
Departing Matahina Dam boat ramp, one and a quarter hours of fun and excitement (minimum numbers apply).

Rapid Run
Departing Mangamako Stream at Waiohou (a further 15 minutes drive upstream from Matahina), a 20 minute trip to experience the thrill of white water jet boating (minimum numbers apply).

The Matahina Dam departure point is easily accessible from the tourist towns of Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane:

• 20 minute drive from Whakatane
• 50 minute drive from Rotorua
• 75 minutes drive from Tauranga