Family video of outing to New Zealand's famous Rere Rockslide goes viral

A Gisborne man has captured the essence of New Zealand summer in a video of the infamous Rere Rockslide.

Ian Ruru's aerial video of Kiwis careening down the natural slippery slide on body boards in the Wharekopae River has been viewed more than 90,000 times since being posted on Facebook on Sunday.

Ruru said he was "blown away" by the video's popularity.

On Wednesday morning it had been shared almost 1500 times.

Ruru, a drone enthusiast from Gisborne's Wainui Beach, said his drone videos were usually viewed about 20,000 times.

"But it had a perfect mix of action scenes, kids and parents having fun, natural wonders all captured through aerial videography - all for free."

Gisborne District Council maintained the rockslide and there was no charge for using it, making it a popular natural attraction for both tourists and locals.

Ruru said it was the first time he had visited Rere Rockslide since he was a child.

Sunday was too windy for a trip to the beach so Ruru and his extended family decided to go to the rockslide instead, he said.

There was a mix of people, including a steady stream of international tourists, lining up to launch themselves along the 70-metres plunge into the pools below on Sunday.

"The setting, a natural water feature, excitement and a bit of danger" drew people to the Rere Rockslide, Ruru said.