About
ABOUT MĀRAHAU
Located at the southern end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track in Aotearoa New Zealand’s most visited national park, Mārahau is a special place.
A culturally significant place for mana whenua and home to a resident population of only about 200, it is here where many of the park’s 250,000 annual manuhiri (visitors) start their journey along the world-famous track or refuel after completing it, where thousands of families return to year after year, chasing the quintessential New Zealand summer of golden beaches, aqua blue waters, happy kids, and special moments.
Just 60km from Whakatū Nelson and 20km from Motueka, Mārahau is well known for both its seaside charm and its strong local community.
ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
A remarkable story of restoration
Over the past few decades, Abel Tasman National Park has seen a remarkable transformation supported by philanthropic, tourism and community efforts. Where once there were bare ridges and invasive wilding pines, new beech plantings have taken root; where predators reigned, birdsong is once more abundant.
Amid this enormous effort in the park and the neighbouring Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, the unassuming gateway village of Mārahau has largely gone under the radar.
ABOUT THE PLEDGE
How the Pledge works
The nine activities operators apply a Mārahau Pledge levy of $1.44 per visitor per crossing of the Mārahau foreshore, while the accommodation provider levies $1.44 per guest night. A portion of the levy goes towards measuring and off-setting to meet our commitment to being zero-carbon. The balance is held by the Mārahau Pledge governance organisation, the Mārahau Environmental Trust.
From there, community members can apply for funding to help them with projects that improve biodiversity, sustainability or community outcomes in Mārahau.
ABOUT US
We’re locals.
We’re not big, flashy companies with big PR budgets. We are a group of local, family-owned businesses taking genuine steps to counteract the impact of our operations on the environment and give back to our community.
We have supported local groups doing inspiring work, like the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, for many years now. The Mārahau Pledge takes that commitment to our people and our place further. It recognises that, together, we can achieve a whole lot more.
Meet our operators
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi
Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi has operated water taxi trips, sea shuttle services and scenic cruises in the Abel Tasman National Park since 1990. The family-owned business was founded by Kelvin and Jane Goodman and was later purchased by the Alborn family.
They offer visitors a convenient way to explore the national park from the comfort of their purpose-built, quiet and eco-friendly boats, enabling easy access to out-of-the-way spots. Perfect for a short walk, a scenic day out or a multi-day hiking adventure.
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Canyons
The team at Abel Tasman Canyons is dedicated to giving visitors from around the world the experience of a lifetime with their range of canyoning adventures.
With guided trips through five unique canyons, Abel Tasman Canyons offers the perfect blend of adrenaline and exploration, revealing the hidden gems of our region’s less-travelled areas.
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Eco Tours
Mel, Clive and their experienced team of skippers and guides offer eco-boat tours and charters through the Abel Tasman National Park. Their small, family-run business provides the perfect opportunity to share their love and knowledge of the park and advocate for its conservation.
Their signature eco-tour gives visitors an unforgettable and personalised experience, allowing them to explore the park’s coastal zones, islands, beaches, forests, and streams and relax, walk, and swim along the way.
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Guides
Since 2010, Abel Tasman Guides has offered guided and self-guided walking trips on the 60-kilometre Abel Tasman Great Walk. They handle all the logistics - land & water transportation, accommodations, meals and kayaking if desired.
All itineraries are custom built, ensuring a seamless experience and allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the Abel Tasman National Park’s stunning golden sand beaches and verdant native forest.
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Ocean View Chalets
Ocean View Chalets is a family-run accommodation provider nestled within walking distance of the entrance of Abel Tasman National Park. Founded in 1993 by Robert and Konstanca Palzer, the chalets have been a source of relaxation and exploration for many thousands of guests over the years.
Their daughter Chris and her partner Jared are now continuing the tradition of offering incredible accommodation focused on sustainability and manaakitanga with a vision to preserve our slice of paradise for future generations.
-
![]()
Mārahau Sea Kayaks
Originally operating out of a shed with a couple of kayaks in 1986, Mārahau Sea Kayaks has grown with the reputation of the Abel Tasman National Park as New Zealand’s premium spot for sea kayaking.
Owned and operated by local family, the Alborns, the company offers guided half, full and multi-day kayaking and walking trips into the park, alongside kayak rentals, water taxi transfers and accommodation here in Mārahau.
-
![]()
Mārahau Water Taxis
Mārahau Water Taxis aims to offer visitors a unique Kiwi experience with their water taxi transfers into, out of and around the Abel Tasman National Park. Visitors start their journey in the boat on dry land, being towed to the boat ramp for launching.
Throughout the trip to their destination, visitors learn first-hand from their experienced skipper about the ecology, history and stories of the area. Mārahau Water Taxis is 100% locally owned and operated by the Alborn family, who thrive on the opportunity their work provides to share our corner of the world with visitors from all over the globe.
-
![]()
R&R Kayaks
R&R Kayaks is a sea kayak rental and tour company based here in Mārahau. The family business was founded by Rets and Ro Haskell - two long-time locals born and bred at opposite ends of the national park - Rets in Golden Bay and Ro in Motueka.
The couple has an inherent love of the area and an extensive knowledge of the history and stories that make up this spectacular place. Alongside their team, they spend days on the water sharing those stories with visitors from around the world.
-
![]()
Abel Tasman Kayaks
Another innovative business from humble beginnings, Abel Tasman Kayaks is New Zealand’s pioneering sea kayak operator, established more than 30 years ago with some borrowed river kayaks and a deep love for the Abel Tasman National Park.
Now, with more than 150 double and single kayaks, owner Jack Kelly and his large team of guides take visitors on tours from Nelson, Motueka, or their base here in Mārahau. They offer a range of kayak and walk adventures that allow visitors to explore the beaches, coves, lagoons and islands of the National Park alongside the wildlife and native forest that make it the beauty that it is.
-
![]()
Kahu Kayaks
Kahu Kayaks offers visitors both guided and independent tours of the park via kayak. 100% locally owned and operated, they reckon, ‘Kayaking the Abel Tasman is like Heaven on Earth’, and we have to agree.
Kahu Kayaks has an experienced team of wonderful guides just itching to show you their backyard with one of their many tour options, including transfers to and from Nelson or Motueka.
