June 26 – 28, 2026
Supporting the Kaimanawa Horse Bronze Statue Project
Photographers and adventurers – don’t miss this winter experience of the highlights of Whakapapa, followed by the breathtaking and seldom-seen Kaimanawa Ranges, located on restricted NZDF Army Land.
This includes a rare opportunity to photograph the wild Kaimanawa Horses in their natural habitat and explore a stunning, off-limits landscape.
Escorted by photographers with extensive knowledge of the area and horse movements.
Trip Highlights
Day 1 – June 26
- Arrive by 12:30 at Ruapehu Lodge, Ohakune
- Leaving at 13:30 Travel by bus to Waimarino National Park, followed by the Whakapapa Chateau area ending with a sunset up on the mountain.
- Return to the lodge for dinner, fireside relaxation, and a special video screening of the Kaimanawa Horses
Day 2 – June 27
- Early departure for the Waiouru Military Training Area to capture the sunrise
- Full day in the Ranges photographing the horses and landscapes
- Barbeque brunch provided with tea, coffee, and snacks
- Return to the lodge for a fireside dinner
Day 3 – June 28
- Breakfast at the lodge before your journey home
Accommodation and Cost
- Pricing is per person.
- Single Room – Ensuite twin or double, tea and coffee making facilities, private bathroom, communal kitchen: $1,500 per person
- Shared Accommodation – Motel unit, double and twin beds, Kitchenette, private bathroom: $1,350 per person
- Includes all listed meals, transport, and guided access to the Ranges
- Please advise of any special dietary requirements when booking
KHH and the Waiouru Horse Statue Fund
All proceeds go towards the creation of a life-sized bronze statue of a Kaimanawa Horse, to be installed opposite the Army Museum in Waiouru – a lasting tribute to these iconic wild horses.
KHH supports the concept and vision behind the proposed bronze statue in Waiouru, to be erected near the Army Museum, as a tribute to the Kaimanawa horses and their history. This project was originally proposed by our Patron and founding member, Elder Jenks, whose passion for preserving their legacy continues to inspire.
However, we wish to make it very clear that donations made to KHH specifically for the welfare, care, and rehoming of Kaimanawa horses, are strictly kept for that purpose and have not been used in the statue fundraising.
We believe the statue will serve as a meaningful and lasting symbol of the heritage and significance of these horses and encourage the public to support the separate fundraising initiative directly, should they wish to contribute.
Health & Safety
Our first stop is the Army Base for a safety briefing and a presentation regarding Army activities. We encourage everyone to pay attention to the safety briefing as we will be traveling through various areas that are actively used by the Army for live firing training exercises. While no activities such as these will be conducted while we are on-site, there are other things that need to be considered in order to stay safe out there.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS apply which you must agree to prior to ticket purchase. A copy of these is located at the bottom of this page and acceptance of these terms is required during the checkout process. A copy of our refund policy is also displayed.
YOU WILL BE SENT A CONFIRMATION EMAIL for checking in on the day. PLEASE PRINT IT OR SAVE IT TO YOUR PHONE.
For safety reasons we need to collect the names and contact numbers of all individual ticket holders. The ticket purchaser will remain our main contact. It will remain the responsibility of the ticket purchaser to ensure we are provided accurate details of each ticket holder prior to the event. A confirmation email will be sent once a purchase is complete which will need to be printed or saved to your phone. The event will remain subject to the conditions and mandates in place at the time. ( COVID-19 )
Bus Trip Cancellation Policy
- 90% refund where the cancellation is 14 days or more from the date of the tour. This enables us to recoup bank fees and administration costs.
- 50% refund where the cancellation is less than 14 days from the date of the tour. This will increase to 90% if we are able to resell the ticket.
- No refund will be given for failure to show up for the tour.
If for any unforeseen reason we need to cancel any or all of our bus tours then a refund of 90% of the purchase price will be returned to the original purchaser. This enables us to recoup bank fees, pre-tour purchases, and administration costs.
Terms and Conditions – KAIMANAWA HERITAGE HORSES WELFARE SOCIETY INC (KHH) – Indemnity Clause
IN CONSIDERATION OF Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society Inc (KHH) providing the following services for the Photography Bus trip including dates 26th, 27th, and 28th June 2026.
- Guided bus tour around the Military Training area to view the wild horses.
HEREBY AGREES
1. To unconditionally and irrevocably indemnify and hold harmless KHH and its employees and agents against all claims, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, charges, proceedings, and costs that KHH or its employees or agents may incur because of Kaimanawa Heritage Horses providing the services as described above.
Such indemnity shall be granted whether or not legal proceedings are instituted, irrespective of the means, manner, or nature of any settlement, compromise, or determination.
2. Not to bring any action against KHH, its employees, or agents, in respect of any loss or damage to property or injury to any person suffered during the trip, whether such loss or injury is caused by negligence or otherwise by Kaimanawa Heritage Horses, its employees or agents.
3. I consent to be photographed on this trip by a KHH photographer. I further authorise that these photographs may be published on various KHH media platforms.
4. I acknowledge that by purchasing, or by having tickets purchased on my behalf, I have read this indemnity agreement and fully agree that by participating in the KHH Kaimanawa Ranges Bus Trip I am bound by the indemnity agreement. If I am not of the age of majority, my parents or guardian have consented on my behalf.
Terms and Conditions – NZ DEFENCE FORCE (NZDF) – Indemnity Clause
In CONSIDERATION OF the New Zealand Defence Force (the Crown) providing the following services:
- A safety briefing and access to the Waiouru Military Training grounds on the following dates – 26th, 27th, and 28th June 2026.
HEREBY AGREES
1. To unconditionally and irrevocably indemnify and hold harmless the Crown and its servants and agents against all claims, actions, suits, damages, liabilities, losses, charges, proceedings and costs which the Crown or its servants or agents may incur or be put to as a result of the Crown providing the services as described above.
Such indemnity shall be granted whether or not legal proceedings are instituted, irrespective of the means, manner or nature of any settlement, compromise or determination.
2. Not to bring any action against the Crown, its servants or agents, in respect of any loss or damage to property or injury to any person suffered during or in consequence of the Crown providing the services described in its agreement, whether such loss or injury is caused by the negligence or otherwise of the Crown, its servants or agents.