Terms & conditions.

Check your chosen activity, date, participant details, meeting time and location carefully. Your booking confirmation sets out the activity you have booked, its price and any agreed inclusions or additional arrangements. Contact us promptly if anything is incorrect.

We will tell you about any trip-specific requirements or additional charges before you agree to them. If you book for a group, please share the trip information and these terms with everyone taking part.

Sea kayaking takes place in a natural environment where conditions can change. Risks include capsizing, cold-water exposure, adverse weather, injury, drowning and damage to belongings. Briefings, equipment and safe operating procedures help manage these risks, but cannot remove them entirely.

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill and meet our legal safety obligations. You must attend the safety briefing, follow our crew's reasonable safety instructions and use the safety equipment as instructed. Tell us immediately if you do not understand an instruction or need help.

Please discuss any health condition, injury, accessibility requirement, concern about water confidence or other factor that may affect safe participation with our team before booking. Tell the crew about any relevant change before departure. We will discuss whether the activity is suitable and what arrangements may be possible.

Age and participation requirements depend on the trip. Check the published requirements for your chosen activity. An accompanying adult must help children in their care understand and follow the crew's instructions.

You must not take part while affected by alcohol or drugs in a way that could compromise safety. We may refuse or stop participation where we reasonably consider someone cannot participate safely or their behaviour puts others at risk. We will explain the reason and discuss any refund entitlement in light of the circumstances and your legal rights.

Freedom hire is independent kayaking after your briefing; a guide does not accompany you throughout the trip. Follow the agreed route, operating boundaries, weather advice, equipment instructions and return arrangements. Tell us before departure if you are not confident about any part of the plan.

Current freedom hire requirements include a minimum of two people and a minimum age of 14 when accompanied by an adult. The northern kayaking limit is Shag Harbour. Return kayaks by 4 pm unless we have agreed a different arrangement with you. One-way trips and kayak retrieval must be arranged with us beforehand, including any applicable charges.

For overnight trips, check who is arranging campsite bookings, transfers, food and camping equipment. Do not assume these are included unless your booking says so.

Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel. Email info@kahukayaks.co.nz with your booking details; for urgent changes, also call us. We will confirm receipt. Cancellation timing is measured from when we receive your notice, rather than when we reply, using New Zealand local time and the departure time on your booking confirmation.

For a cancellation received at least 48 hours before departure, we will refund the amount paid, less any reasonable administration costs up to a maximum of 10% of the cancelled booking value. We will explain any deduction.

For a cancellation received less than 48 hours before departure, the normal policy is no refund. This policy does not remove any refund or other remedy required by law.

Changes of date or activity depend on availability. We will explain any price difference or charge and obtain your agreement before confirming the change.

We may change a route or departure time, postpone a trip or cancel where reasonably necessary because of weather or sea conditions, access restrictions, insufficient participants or other circumstances affecting safe delivery of the activity. We will contact you as soon as reasonably practicable and explain your options.

If we cancel before your activity begins, you may choose an available alternative that suits you or a full refund of the amount paid to us for the cancelled activity. You do not have to accept a credit or replacement trip.

If we propose a substantial change before departure, we will explain it and offer you the choice of accepting it or cancelling for a full refund of the affected activity. During a trip, the crew may make immediate changes for safety. If an activity is cut short, we will discuss an appropriate refund or other remedy, taking account of what was provided and your legal rights.

Bring only belongings suitable for a kayaking trip and follow our advice about protecting them from water. Waterproof storage reduces exposure but does not guarantee that belongings will stay dry. Ask the crew if you are unsure how to store an item.

We recommend travel insurance that covers your planned kayaking activities, medical expenses, cancellations and disruption. Visitors may be eligible for assistance from New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation for covered injuries, but ACC does not replace travel insurance or cover every cost. Check your policy's terms and exclusions before travelling.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded, including applicable rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986. Taking part does not waive those rights. Our responsibility for loss or damage is determined by applicable New Zealand law.

If something goes wrong, please tell the crew or contact us so we can understand the problem and discuss an appropriate response.

Kahu Kayaks Email: info@kahukayaks.co.nz Phone: 0800 300 101 or +64 3 527 8300