Wanganui Adventure
- Kirsten Edwards
- Aug 16, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 6
Author: Ken Saunders
From the inside front flap: "A light plane has come down on a bush-clad ridge about the Wanganui River. It is the early 1950s, and in these uninhabited, roadless mountains of the river's upper reaches, two teenage canoeists are nearest the crash area. Lindsey and Howard Barker have just launched their canoes at Taumarunni on what they expect to be a leisurely 210-km voyage to the coast. This holiday turns quickly into a high adventure after the Air Force Rescue Organisation contacts them with a request to keep a lookout for a missing Auster. To the fun of pig-tracking, riverside camping and canoe exploration, the boys now have added the trills of a life-and-death search in dense New Zealand bush and regular contact with the various planes combing the area. And the boys' talk is not completed with the finding of the crashed plane. Before one of the survivors can get the medical care he badly needs, the Wanganui's most famous rapids must be negotiated in the rescuer's frail and overloaded craft. How the canoeists meet the river's final challenge about Pipiriki forms an exciting climax to this fast-moving tale."
This is a solid, engaging read that held our attention nicely. My 11-year-old daughter and I chose it for our New Zealand geography study this year, and it fits perfectly with its focus on the Whanganui-Manawatu region. The story brings the landscape to life without feeling like a lesson.
A clear map opens the book, marking every major location and event; easy to follow even for younger readers. We especially liked spotting Milson Aerodrome, which is now Palmerston North Airport, right where we live. That small detail made the adventure feel closer to home.
The writing is straightforward and pleasant, with a cast of interesting, believable characters. The opening chapter sets a warm tone: two boys attempt to camp in the local park, only for the policeman to bundle them home. His wife feeds them breakfast the next morning and packs them off with good wishes. It captures a gentler, more trusting era.
At the centre are cousins Howard (14) and Lindsey (16), paddling solo down the Whanganui River on a carefree holiday. Their plans change when a light plane crashes nearby. The Air Force contacts them by radio and asks them to keep watch for survivors. Soon, they locate Lorraine and her badly injured father, turning the trip into a tense rescue mission. Lindsey discovers Lorraine is far from helpless, and together they navigate rapids and bush to get help.
The pace keeps moving with plenty of action, natural dialogue, and aviation scenes for those who enjoy them. Set shortly after World War II, the book quietly acknowledges the war’s lingering effects; one man was a POW, and injury brings back painful memories. It’s handled with care and sensitivity, suitable for the intended age.
Kenneth Saunders wrote only two children’s books. An RAF pilot himself, he survived as a POW and took part in the famous “Wooden Horse” escape. His other title, Jimmy and the Bridge, is a rare picture book.
Recommended for boys and girls aged 10 and over. A worthwhile slice of mid-century New Zealand adventure, rivers, planes, and quiet courage, best found in second-hand shops.
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