About Kiwi Cane
Kiwi Cane is a three-day gathering celebrating Cane Fly Rods in New Zealand. The home of Kiwi Cane is Ohakune, in the North Island of New Zealand.
The first Kiwi Cane was held in April 2024. When we have dates for the next Kiwi Cane, we will announce them here.
The first Kiwi Cane was held in April 2024. When we have dates for the next Kiwi Cane, we will announce them here.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
I've been a full time bamboo rodmaker since 2004. From 2004 to 2021, I was based in Australia. In 2021, I moved to New Zealand.
Over the years since I started my business, bamboo rods and rodmaking in Australia has experienced a steady growth in interest. In 2014, fellow rodmaker David Hemmings started a 3-day bamboo rod gathering, "Cressy Cane", in Tasmania. Cressy Cane has been a fantastic success, including bringing invited international presenters from the USA, Canada and Japan.
When I moved N A Taransky Bamboo Rods, from Australia to New Zealand. I thought that it would be great to introduce a similar event to Cressy Cane to New Zealand. So in 2024, we ran the Inaugural "Kiwi Cane", with the same format as Cressy Cane. Many of the Cressy Regulars made the trip to NZ to attend, and we also had a number of Kiwis come along. It was great to have David Hemmings attend, and our invited international guest was Master Casting Instructor, guide and bamboo ambassador, Peter Hayes, from Tasmania.
Over the years since I started my business, bamboo rods and rodmaking in Australia has experienced a steady growth in interest. In 2014, fellow rodmaker David Hemmings started a 3-day bamboo rod gathering, "Cressy Cane", in Tasmania. Cressy Cane has been a fantastic success, including bringing invited international presenters from the USA, Canada and Japan.
When I moved N A Taransky Bamboo Rods, from Australia to New Zealand. I thought that it would be great to introduce a similar event to Cressy Cane to New Zealand. So in 2024, we ran the Inaugural "Kiwi Cane", with the same format as Cressy Cane. Many of the Cressy Regulars made the trip to NZ to attend, and we also had a number of Kiwis come along. It was great to have David Hemmings attend, and our invited international guest was Master Casting Instructor, guide and bamboo ambassador, Peter Hayes, from Tasmania.
OVERVIEW
Our goal is to offer a wonderful 3 days celebrating bamboo rods and rodmaking.
We aim to make the gathering relevant to people of all levels of experience with bamboo: from rodmakers and those who already have a passion for Cane Rods, to people with no experience at all, but who want to try them out or learn something about the craft.
The agenda contains a mix of hands on sessions, demonstrations, presentations and discussions on subjects including:
- making bamboo rods and other associated handcrafted tackle and accessories
- resources for kiwi rodmakers - sourcing tools and materials
- casting and fishing bamboo rods
- caring for, maintaining, restoring and repairing bamboo rods
- understanding different styles of rods and rod tapers, and their uses
- developing rods and tapers for specific Kiwi fishing applications
- collecting rods and other associated vintage tackle and accessories
- the history of bamboo rods and rodmakers
We'd love to hear from you if you have ideas on content for sessions or would like to present something. You can get in touch via the "Contact" page.
We aim to have a strong focus on the social side of things - making new friends and contacts - for both Kiwi's and international attendees. For this reason, we strongly recommend taking advantage of the "stay in" package for the gathering. Many of the best discussions occur after the sun goes down, and continues late into the evening (or early morning)!
We have a full suite of rodmaking tools and bamboo available for ad hoc demonstrations and for newcomers to try their hand at rodmaking techniques.
My extensive rodmaking Book and DVD Library is also onsite for perusal.
We also run the gathering in a region where people can take advantage of local fishing opportunities before and after the event. Depending on numbers we may be able to hold some "on-stream" workshop sessions.
We aim to make the gathering relevant to people of all levels of experience with bamboo: from rodmakers and those who already have a passion for Cane Rods, to people with no experience at all, but who want to try them out or learn something about the craft.
The agenda contains a mix of hands on sessions, demonstrations, presentations and discussions on subjects including:
- making bamboo rods and other associated handcrafted tackle and accessories
- resources for kiwi rodmakers - sourcing tools and materials
- casting and fishing bamboo rods
- caring for, maintaining, restoring and repairing bamboo rods
- understanding different styles of rods and rod tapers, and their uses
- developing rods and tapers for specific Kiwi fishing applications
- collecting rods and other associated vintage tackle and accessories
- the history of bamboo rods and rodmakers
We'd love to hear from you if you have ideas on content for sessions or would like to present something. You can get in touch via the "Contact" page.
We aim to have a strong focus on the social side of things - making new friends and contacts - for both Kiwi's and international attendees. For this reason, we strongly recommend taking advantage of the "stay in" package for the gathering. Many of the best discussions occur after the sun goes down, and continues late into the evening (or early morning)!
We have a full suite of rodmaking tools and bamboo available for ad hoc demonstrations and for newcomers to try their hand at rodmaking techniques.
My extensive rodmaking Book and DVD Library is also onsite for perusal.
We also run the gathering in a region where people can take advantage of local fishing opportunities before and after the event. Depending on numbers we may be able to hold some "on-stream" workshop sessions.
The Location - Ohakune
Ohakune is a picturesque Ski town on the south side of the awesome Mt Ruapehu, in the central south of New Zealand's North Island.
Within a one hour drive are many rivers, lakes and streams containing both brown and rainbow trout, including iconic fisheries such as the Tongaririo River and Lake Otamangakau.
For attendees travelling with family, there are a large range of activities in and around Ohakune, including mountain biking, tramping/bushwalking, indoor rock climbing and more… The link below have more information on the region:
Visit Ruapehu (https://www.visitruapehu.com)
Within a one hour drive are many rivers, lakes and streams containing both brown and rainbow trout, including iconic fisheries such as the Tongaririo River and Lake Otamangakau.
For attendees travelling with family, there are a large range of activities in and around Ohakune, including mountain biking, tramping/bushwalking, indoor rock climbing and more… The link below have more information on the region:
Visit Ruapehu (https://www.visitruapehu.com)
Travel Information
For Kiwis and others arriving by car, Ohakune is on Highway 49, between Highways 4 and 1. We can try and assist in putting attendees in touch with each other if they want to travel together.
For those arriving internationally, the closest international airports are Auckland (5 1/2 hour drive) and Wellington (3 1/2 hour drive). Ohakune is serviced from both of these areas by Train and Bus. Contact us if you need any assistance.
For those arriving internationally, the closest international airports are Auckland (5 1/2 hour drive) and Wellington (3 1/2 hour drive). Ohakune is serviced from both of these areas by Train and Bus. Contact us if you need any assistance.
The Venue - Ruapehu Ski Club's Lodge in Ohakune
The Ruapehu Ski Club's Lodge will be the venue for our gatherings during the day. We will run talks and presentations in the large common area. At the back of the lodge is a large grassed area that we will use for casting.
The lodge has a large kitchen where we will cater breakfast and lunch (and possibly dinner on 2 nights - TBA). The lodge is 1.2km from the centre of Ohakune with a variety of dining options.
Bookings for the event will include a bed in the lodge, which is a mix of double bedrooms and bunk rooms. For those wanting to arrange to stay offsite in other accomodation we can help to provide information on these options.
The lodge has a large kitchen where we will cater breakfast and lunch (and possibly dinner on 2 nights - TBA). The lodge is 1.2km from the centre of Ohakune with a variety of dining options.
Bookings for the event will include a bed in the lodge, which is a mix of double bedrooms and bunk rooms. For those wanting to arrange to stay offsite in other accomodation we can help to provide information on these options.
Local Fishing
Ohakune is centrally located and close to a large variety and number of World Class trout fisheries, including several iconic waters. Within one hour are large rivers including the Tongariro, Rangitikei and the Manganuioteao. The "Big O" Lake Otamangakau is also less than an hour away. Much closer are a wide variety of small streams offering exceptional fishing opportunities (perfect for cane rods)!
We hope that attendees will take advantage of the wonderful fishing in the area before and after the gathering! Depending on numbers and conditions we may also be able to hold some "on-stream" workshop sessions.
Have a look at the Galleries Page for some phots of fishing with bamboo in the region.
Below are some links to the fishing options in the area:
New Zealand Fish and Game Ruapehu Fisheries Information
New Zealand Fish and Game Manawatu - Rangitikei Fisheries Information
Department of Conservation - Tongariro River Information
nz fishing.com - Tongariro River Information
Department of Conservation - Lake Otamangakau Information
nz fishing.com - Lake Otamangakau Information
We hope that attendees will take advantage of the wonderful fishing in the area before and after the gathering! Depending on numbers and conditions we may also be able to hold some "on-stream" workshop sessions.
Have a look at the Galleries Page for some phots of fishing with bamboo in the region.
Below are some links to the fishing options in the area:
New Zealand Fish and Game Ruapehu Fisheries Information
New Zealand Fish and Game Manawatu - Rangitikei Fisheries Information
Department of Conservation - Tongariro River Information
nz fishing.com - Tongariro River Information
Department of Conservation - Lake Otamangakau Information
nz fishing.com - Lake Otamangakau Information