Mō ngā awa te aroha, he waiaroha — For the love of rivers
Whitewater NZ is the collective voice of the paddling community, and it is run entirely by volunteers. Becoming a member directly funds our advocacy: protecting river access, conserving waterways, and promoting safe paddling. Because members get no material benefit in return, your membership is effectively a donation to that work.
Membership also comes with real perks. Several partner organisations offer discounts to members. Just show your digital membership card at participating retailers. Discounts vary by partner and are offered at their discretion.
Become a Member: Click here
An example of the WWNZ Membership card you will receive upon becoming a member.
Alongside WWNZ members getting sweet benefits from our supporting organisations, some further benefits are listed below
Whitewater NZ is affiliated to Federated Mountain Clubs, which strengthens our voice on conservation and river management and brings benefits to members.
We affiliate our board members and the president or captain of each WWNZ-affiliated club. They receive FMC discount cards and Backcountry magazine directly from us. The affiliation gives access to over 50 discounts, including 30% off DOC annual hut passes.
All other members can access the FMC D2U service for $20 a year, compared to the standard $45 individual rate. It includes an FMC discount card and Backcountry magazine delivered to your door: join FMC benefits.
Members are also eligible for FMC expedition scholarships. WWNZ can apply for FMC training grants, and you can buy FMC pack liners and “Safety in the Mountains” from FMC Sales.
Active members of Whitewater NZ and its affiliated clubs can apply to the Mangahao Fund for project funding, usually for the lower North Island paddling community or for nationally significant whitewater projects. More on our Funds page.
We run an annual photo competition for members, with cash prizes chosen through our social channels. Winning photos go on to the FMC photo competition, which offers $3,000 to $6,000 in prizes against the other FMC-affiliated clubs. Club entries close 15 September each year.
We regularly partner with paddle sports companies to give members the chance to win quality gear in return for their support and advocacy. Keep your membership current and follow our social channels to be in the draw.
