Story: Canoeing and rafting

Map of the Whanganui River

John T. Stewart surveyed the Whanganui River in 1885 so that channels could be deepened to allow large vessels to pass. After that, maps of the river were published, with rapids named and numbered. This one dates from 1903. They were useful for canoeists who wanted to take trips down the river from Taumarunui.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: MapColl 832.41cdc 1903 3683

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Canoeing and rafting - Early canoeing', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/13078/map-of-the-whanganui-river (accessed 4 May 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 18 Jul 2016