FOR UPDATED RIVER INFO PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE -

https://www.rwwc.org.nz/our-rivers.html

River Info & Flow Phone Numbers

List of rivers with details, flow phone, links to more info & videos as below,
please scroll down to required river.

Manawatu River, Oroua, Pohangina River
Kahuterawa Stream, Makuri Stream
Mangahao Slalom Site, Mangahao River
Waiohine / Wainawa / Ruamahunga
Rangitikei River
Otaki River, Waikawa Stream
Hutt Gorge, Akatarawa
Tongariro River, Waihohonu
Manganui-a-te-ao, Mākatote
Whangaehu
Whakapapa, Whakapapanui & Whakapapaiwi
Full James
Taranaki Rivers - Mokau, Mangaotaki, Tawarau
Motu, Waioeka Gorge (Whakatane)
Ngaruroro, Mohaka
Waikaretaheke - Piripaua & Whakamarino

For other river info go to the Whitewater NZ's river guide page.


Manawatu Gorge - Grade 2
Horizons Water Line - 0508 435-663
Click Here for further information.

Easy float trip with friends.
This run is mostly flat water with a few friendly rapids with nice flowing water. The famous white horse rapid has become a more tame rapid since the big slip. The slip rapid has a wavey flow that runs close to the other side of the river. There are a few nice play waves in there to practise your play moves. Best not to do this trip when windy as the wind funnels down/up the gorge.
When the river is in flood best to stay away unless you are an advanced kayaker as it becomes a Grade 4 river. Your rescuer may not be able to rescue your upturned kayak in a raging torrent of water.

Manawatu River Grade 1-2
There are several sections on the Manawatu River that are normally used for flat water multisport training. Watch out for logs from Ashhurst to Opiki. Palmerston North to Foxton sections are mostly flat water. Also watch out for logs & willow trees in the section down to Ballance.

Oroua River Grade 1-2

The Oroua River is a great grade 1 -2 trip to do during the winter months when there is extra water. The most popular section is between the Almadale Domain and the Menzies Ford Bridge, a distance of 8kms. This is an enjoyable run with many small rapids and is continually sheltered from strong winds by well-established trees that grow along each shore. There are also some good sections to kayak from Apiti down to the Almadale Domain which are similar but longer and more exposed to the wind.    

Pohangina River - Grade 2​​​​​​​
Horizons Water Line - 0508 435-663
Click Here for further information.

There are several sections that can be kayaked which are grade 2, watch out for logs & willows.

Watch the vid from Greg Sawyer - Watch Video

Upper Pohangina River
Grade 4 boulder gardens with a couple of grade 4+-5 drops including one unportagable little gorge.


The walk-in takes about an hour and a half.
You would need to be an advanced kayaker to kayak this one.


Kahuterawa Stream
Horizons Water Line - 0508 435-663
Click Here for further information.

Grade 3-4
Get in: top of Scotts road just before turning on to the road to Arapuke mtb park. Get in at the stream & paddle towards the Kahutarawa. Take out: At the end of the Kahuterawa road.
Character: Tight technical drops and rapids. Watch out for logs & some portaging required. Scout rapids if unsure.

Makuri Stream
Horizons Water Line - 0508 435-663
Click Here for further information.

Grade 4
Gauge: 1.33 (about 14 cumecs) 1.2 min?
SHUTTLE: about 4 km
PUT IN: Park at the junction of Pahiatua Pongaroa Road and the RH fork of Pori Road. Walk with boats down to bridge 50m away.


GET OUT:


Head North out of Pahiatua and take a RHT just out of town onto Pahiatua Pongaroa Road, follow for about 17.3km (About halfway there you will pass signs for LHT for Millers Road/ Ngaturi Road).Stay on Pahiatua Pongaroa Road. Eventually you will come to a point where you pass a farm house on your right with a yellow mail box and then just before the next farm house on the LHS with a braided driveway. you will see a rectangular paddock with tree lined sides on your right just out of the trees along the roadside. park here where there is most likely to be a churned up roadside anyway (when wet prepare to get stuck). You can then scout the get out by scurrying directly south to eventually hit the river (approx 2/300 metres). Its all very muddy so wellies are ideal! if you get to a quarry on your left you have already gone too far.


Character:  Awesome run, but quite technical and expect to be doing a lot of scouting if you are with no-one who has done it before. Needs lots of rain. Its a great run but demands respect and consequences of a swim can be harsh/ very serious at times.

Check out this vid by Sam Fuchs - Watch Video

Mangahao Slalom Site
06 362-7588 flow phone – needs 12-15 cumecs Power Station 06 362-7659

Grade 3

Level: Flows when Mangahao Power Station is running, typically mornings and evenings.
Gauge: Mangahao Slalom: 06 362 7588 (flow phone, Mangaore Stream - min 15 cumecs) or 06 362 7659 (to talk to somebody at the Power Station)
Time:  90 seconds to full day.
Put in:  directly below power station.
Take out:  On river left by concrete block exit. If you miss the take out carry on down & do the river trip if you have a shuttle organised.
Otherwise 2 min walk back to the top for another couple of laps.
Character: Tight & technical, this is a great section for practicing or playing on.
National whitewater Slalom Site. It has gates set up, toilets and flood lights for paddling in the dark! But you need a access card from Bivouac in Palmy to use the toilets or lights.

Watch vid here of our RWWC Xmas Social slalom - Watch Video


Mangahao River

This is a long shuttle best to get a shuttle driver organised.
Class:  3-4
Level:  15-50 cumecs
Gauge:  visual, Length:  18km, Gradient:  9m/km, Time:  4.5-8 hours
Put in:  Mangahao Reservoir No.2, Take out: Mangahao Road bridge west of Hukanui
Shuttle:  87km, Maps:  S25,T24
Character: single channel, small gorges, scenic. Check out the more detailed description on the Whitewater NZ webpage here - Click Here

Take a look at the VUCC vid at the last release in 2016 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vTCHe1CLSs&feature=youtu.be


Waiohine / Wainawa / Ruamahunga
Hydroline Wairarapa Rivers
083 220-669 use button 9 to fast forward

Watch a vid on the Waiohine River - Watch Video

Wainawa


Waingawa at Kaituna needs to be over 700. Recommended flow above 6 cumecs.


Lots of waves to play on especially at 20 cumecs.

Get In: at the end of the road other wise you need to call the landowner - Chris Tonask for permission to drive to the top.
There are 3 take outs - 1st takeout where it meets another river coming in. The normal get out and the take out by the bridge.

Rangitikei River
Horizons Water Line - 0508 435-663
Click Here for further information.
Rangitkei River webcam at Mangaweka - Click Here



There are several sections on the Rangitikei River that range from Grade 2 -4
Utiku to Mangaweka is a popular club beginners trip. Grade 2, Time:  2-3 hours
Get in: Toetoe Road, Utiku River bridge.



Take out: Mangaweka Camp Ground
Character: Easy, scenic and a great river to learn on, bring the whole family.
Utiku to Vinegar Hill is used often by multisporters training for the Coast to coast Race.
Hot tip:  Bring your tent and camp at the get-out

There is also a several sections down from River Valley down to Omatane & Utiku which make a great multi day trip. If starting at River Valley you may have a couple of harder rapids that you may need to walk around before the rest of the easy scenic trip, often used via raft, canoe & kayak..

Watch our RWWC vids here - Watch Video

Upper Rangitikei

Rangitikei Gorge – River Valley Lodge
06 388-1444 ask for the level, see also Click Here  . Needs to be at least 1.0

Grade 4, Portageable in most rapids

Level - As below info
Grade 4: 25-45cu, Grade 4+-5:: >45cu
Gauge: Above ph & website
Length: 10km, Gradient: 11km, Time: 2-4 hours
Put in:off Matawhero Road where it joins the river. Take out:  River Valley Lodge
Shuttle:  17.7km gravel road
Character:  technical, tight bedrock gorge

Check out the more detailed description on the Whitewater NZ webpage here - Click Here

Watch our RWWC vids here - Watch Video
Watch Video


Otaki River
Hydroline Otaki River at Pukehina
083 220-150 needs to be > 2.030

Character: A fun grade 2-2+ scenic run

Watch the vid - Watch Video

Upper Otaki
Waitawaewae Hut to Otaki Forks

Grade 3+4 increases with volume
Portage: yes: scout for logs
Level: 1800 min, 1900-2100 mod flow.
Gauge 23 km downstream from the put in so indicative only
Gauge: Otaki at Pukehinau on www.gw.govt.nz
Length: 18 km
Gradient: 16m/km for first 9 km then flattens
Time: 4-8 hours
Put in: Waitewaewae hut
Take out: Blue Slip bridge, about 2 km below Otaki Forks
Shuttle: helicopter run.
Character: Technical pool drops in stunning wilderness surroundings, Similar in character to Hutt Gorge, perhaps a bit steeper. Flattens out to II+/III from Penn Creek. Other info: Lemming Falls (2.5 m drop) is about 5km from put in, worth scouting with a retentive hole & plenty of rocks the run is a gem.


Waikawa Stream



Gauge: Click Here > River Level > Waikawa at North Manakau Rd



Grade 3-4
Level: > 900mm but gets better higher

Character:  Technical boulder gardens or scary freight train with no stops and big holes.

For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info Here


Hutt Gorge
Flow ph no longer avail. Click on website below. Te Marua needs to be at least 1.8 m for the Gorge. River gauge on website here - http://www.graphs.gw.govt.nz click on Hutt River at Te Marua & flow m3/secs or flow derived. Also try VUCC link to gauge Click Here.nz/?id=local_rivers.
Te Marua needs to be at least 6.5 m3/secs (1.8m) for the Min level. Nice Flow 18 Cumecs (2.1m), Pushy Flow - 57 Cumecs (2.6m) Above this flow means bigger water = G4, hard to rescue. Please only go if you can handle the river conditions to your ability.

Character: The Hutt Gorge is a Grade 3 run It's quite narrow and has to be scouted in some parts due to the possible logs jams that are created there. If in doubt scout rapids after floods or contact a local from HVCC or VUCC

Watch our vids here - Watch Video

Akatarawa

Karapoti to Hutt River
Grade 2+ - 3
Gauge: Akatarawa at cemetery needs to be about 1m.
Alternative Course for Hutt Gorge Race when in flood.
Time: 1-2 hours

Put in: At first bridge on Karapoti Rd, off Akatarawa Road
Take out: At Hutt River confluence just off Akatarawa Road or at Hutt Valley Club rooms.
Character: Grade 2 with small rock gardens & play waves + a grade 3 rapid - The Wall.
Few of our RWWC members (Matt, Max & Mel) won the Hutt Gorge ww race on this section when both rivers were in flood. When running in flood there is plenty of fun to have surfing in the normal easy small holes + the wall rapid.

Watch Victoria Uni CC's (VUCC) vid HERE

For more detailed info about this river please view the Whitewater NZ page HERE


Tongariro River

Genesis – Tongariro Power Scheme
07 386-8113 Access 10 is below Poutu, Access 14 is below Rangipo. Whakapapa is under the Wanganui option. Click Here

There are several sections on the Tongariro River that range from Grade 2 -5

Blue pool section down to Turangi Bridge is a nice easy grade2 run



The river is wider & with less gradient than the upstream sections & very scenic. this section is also very popular with anglers, Be courteous to other river users and paddle on the opposite bank from anglers when possible.


Access 10 to Blue Pool




Grade 3-3+ Gauge: Flow ph as above


Length: 13km, Time:  2 to 4 hours
Put in:  Poutu Intake, Take out:  Blue Pool
Character: small volume, even gradient, single braid boulder channels
Both these sections always flow .


Access 15 Waipakahi Run is also another great intermediate grade2+-3 run, best to do after some rain.

Access 14 Rangipo Run


Grade 3-4, Gauge: As above, Length:  6km


Time:  1 - 3 hours
Put in:  Below Rangipo dam
Take out:  River left, above Tree Trunk Gorge
Character: Even-gradient rapids,fantastic scenery
Hot tip:  Don't miss the take out

Watch vids here - Watch Video 


Access 13 to Waikato Falls


Grade 3+


Put in:  Below Tree Trunk Gorge
Take out: Kaimanawa Rd

Character: A slightly easier run than its upstream cousin – the rapids are similar in style, but the gradient & speed are more mellow. The scenery is excellent & the Pillars of Hercules provide some awesome atmosphere & it is worth it just to see these.

For more info on the Tongariro sections please take a look on the Whitewater NZ's river guide page here - Click Here


Waihohonu

Grade 3 Intermediate trip.
Portage: 2 portages,
Length:  3.5km

Put in: Waihohonu bridge, SH 1, Take out:  Waihohonu Intake structure
Time: 1-2 hours.
Shuttle:  5km
Character:  scenic, moderate creek boating
Hot tip:  Portage on the left side. You'll see what I mean.
Note to experienced kayakers. You can kayak the first rapid if you want. Scout & check before kayaking.
Most kayaking trips start their journey off SH1. It is possible to walk up the Waihohonu track for 15 minutes & put in on the Ohinepango stream that winds across to join the Waihohonu immediately above the road bridge.
Watch out for logs.

Watch our video HERE

For more detailed info about this river please view the Whitewater NZ page here - Click Here


Manganui-a-te-ao



Grade 3-4
Level: Any, but high flow is best.



Gauge: at Ruatiti Domain, Length: 8.5km Time:2-3 hours.
Put in: Hoihenga Bridge, Take out: Ruatiti Domain
Character: Single braid, very scenic. Watch for whio and try not to disturb them.
Top put-in on the Manganui-a-te-ao is the old Hoihenga Bridge. A track on river right leads down to a small beach. This is the crux of the Manganui experience & is great in flood levels. The rapids are a series of large waves/ hydraulics. Now & then they crash into a wall at the bottom, but there is usually a good pool at the bottom of each rapid. Below Myers bridge (a small footbridge which can be reached on the river right side if someone needs to leave the river) the river widens & rapids ease to a fun grade 2-3 down to the bridge at Ruatiti Domain.

Check out the more detailed description on the Whitewater NZ webpage here - Click Here


Whangaehu

Whangaehu - TeTui Farm or Colliers Bridge
Grade 3
Level: Any but snow melt or recent rain better

Put in:  At quarry on Whangaehu Valley Rd, 12.5km south of SH49
Take out:  Across farm at Te Tui farm entrance - 3.8km south along Whangaehu Valley Rd
Shuttle:  3.8km along Whangaehu Valley Rd (or 10.9km to Colliers Bridge)
Character: Continuous Grade 3 with good flow.
Hot tip:  Bring your own drinking water as the water originates from the Crater lake on Ruapehu & is naturally acidic

Check out Jason's vid HERE

For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info here


Whakapapa

Whakapapa Dam to Owhango
Grade 3-4
Level: 25-60 cumecs
Length: 23km

Time: 4-6 hours
Put in: Whakapapa intake
Take out: Whakapapa bridge at Owhango
Shuttle: 40km
Character: wilderness, scenic, even-gradient, bouldery riverbed

The Whakapapa, like many of the rivers radiating out from the Central Plateau, is a hidden treasure. It is well worth marking the 2 Genisus release days per annum on your calendar (normally September)

Most of the rapids on the run are in the ‘even gradient grade 3’ realm & quite continuous & will keep you happily preoccupied. You’ll know you are approaching the finish when a rapid drops away from you & seems harder than the rest of the run. It is. This last rapid under the Owhango bridge is a good half a grade or more harder & signals the end of the run.

Check out these vid's Normal flow (vid coming soon)
High flow - awesome level for advancd kayakers

For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info HERE


Whakapapanui & Whakapapaiwi

Whakapapanui -

Matariki Falls to Whakapapa Dam
Grade 3-4
Level:  20-50 cumecs

Gauge:  visual
Length:  6km
Time:  1-2 hours
Put in:  below Matariki Falls
Take out:  Whakapa dam
Shuttle:  10km
Character: small water, technical gorge, stunning scenery & location

Two rivers combine to make the Whakapapa River - the Whakapapaiti and the Whakapapanui. Of these, the Whakapapanui is the easier, more spectacular and scenic of the two. Like most Central North Island rivers they are rain dependent because of their small catchment area. Below 20cu the rivers are very scratchy. But don't be put off. This area offers world class boating when rain is falling, and believe me it falls a lot. Above 50cu be prepared for a no-holds-barred rollercoaster with few places to decide that you don't want to be there!

Whakapapaiti -
SH47 to Whakapapa Dam
Grade 3-4
Level: 20-50 cumecs, Gauge: visual
Length: 9km, Time: 1-2 hours
Put in: Road bridge on SH47
Take out: Whakapapa Dam
Shuttle: 16km
Character: fast, even gradient, small, technical riverbed
The Whakapapaiti is a faster, more technical run than its eastern cousing the Whakapapanui

For a more detailed description of these 2 sections, check out Whitewater NZ info HERE



Mākatote

SH4 to Upper Manganui Valley bridge
Grade 3-4
Level: needs rain, if the stream looks floatable below the bridge it's about good.


Gauge: visual about 5cu at the put in
Length: 14.5km
Gradient: 18m/km
Time: 3-4 hours
Put in: below Makatote Road bridge
Take out: Upper Manganui Valley bridge
Shuttle: 48km
Character: very cool wilderness with whio
Hot tip:  don't go if it's way high!

The first four kilometres to the Waimarino confluence is a delicate pinball ride down rocky chutes. Keep an eye out for strainers which move regularly in the many floods. The introduction of the Waimarino and Manganui-a-teo is good for river flows. The scratching is over and you enter the heart of the Makatote experience (even though the river is called the Manganui-a-teo from here down).


For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info HERE

Full James also known as Ngāwapurua

Waikato River Fuljames etc
0800 820 082
Wave is best at 180 to 240 cumecs.

Chracter: Great swirly river trip with a great play rapid at the end that you can spend hours playing on the wave surfing all day.
At particular flows the wirl pools are very strong so please make sure you have a PFD on.
This is not a river to take your dog to.

Permission is needed for access on Tauhara North No. 2 Trust land downstream of the "Hay Barn". Contact for access:

Forest & General Security Ltd,
63 Miro St, Taupo Phone 07-376 5333.

Or call in to Canoe and Kayak Taupo... they may have a key for the gate.

Mokau River – King Country

07 877-8525 Power station so don’t abuse this number please
Grade 3-4
Portage: You can portage the main rapids if need
Rapids include: Little Huka & Little Aratiatia.

Character: Best at 1.8 on the gauge or more. Warm water. Good run in winter. Can be done in 2 hrs with no scouting. little Araatiatia has water sieving to the left of the narrow section. Could be serious for a swimmer. Last drop go left to avoid under cut on right. Often back loops above 1.5 but rarely holds.

Mangaotaki - King Country

Mangaotaki / SH3 to Mokau Grade 3 - 4

Character: This is a class 3 - 4 in flood conditions. A bush lined river with stunning limestone formations keeps the interest up and provides something a little different.


One more fall is just around the corner then when the river drops away amongst a large boulder jam you have the option of taking out.

Tawarau - King Country

Tawarau / Were Road to Te Anga
Grade 3-4
Level: Needs rain
Gauge: Ken and Shona Blundell 07 877 8811
Length: 14km
Time: 3.5 to 5 hours
Put in: End of Were Rd
Take out: farm on Speedies Rd or Te Anga Tavern
Shuttle: long!
Character: Ledge drops with awesome forest & limestone walls
Hot tip: Get a shuttle driver

Check out Greg's vid HERE

For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info HERE

Motu

Motu River / Motu Falls to SH35
Grade 3-4
Level:  30-150 cumecs
Gauge:  measured at take out. NIWA Rotorua 07 346 1950
Length:  88.5km
Time:  2-4 days
Doc Hutt & campsites along river
Character: single channel, stunning scenery, alternating bedrock gorges & deep bush valley

For a more detailed description check out Whitewater NZ info HERE


Waioeka Gorge (Whakatane)
good Grade 3 when level is above 2.2.  Opato is a tributary of Waioeka – Grade 4 creeking when Waioeka flow is over 3.0m.
Click Here
Flow site – no phone
Or call Gareth Evans 0800 368-288 x 9258
Marker post at Wairere dam put in

Ngaruroro

Kuripapango to Whanawhana

Grade: 3-4
Level: Any, but some rain is recommended

Gauge: visual
Length: 39km
Time: 4-10 hours
Put in: Ngaruroro bridge at Kuripapango
Take out: Otaumuri Stream junction, river left
Shuttle: Approx 55 km winding gravel road
Character: single channel, wild & remote gorges, scenic wilderness. Great over nighter.

For a more detailed description, check out Whitewater NZ info HERE


Mohaka

There are several sections on the Mohaka River from Grade 2-4

Pungahuru to Te Hoe -
Level: visual
Grade: 2-3+
Character: Essentially, it's a class II - III trip, with one rapid Te Hoe that may be class 3. At a high flows the rapids become a more consistent class 3+ (maybe entry level 4 in flood). All in all a pleasent paddle as a club trip.

Whitewater NZ don't have too much of a write up but the comments do. Check it out HERE

Te Hoe to Willowflat -


Level: visual, Length: 14km, Gradient: 6.5m/km


Time: 3-6 hours
Put in: Te Hoe Station Take out: Willow Flat Bridge
Shuttle: 22.5km (gravel road)

Character: Huge boulder gardens, even gradient, siltstone canyon. One of the North Island’s historical one day wilderness trips

For a more detailed description, check out Whitewater NZ info HERE

Waikaretaheke -
Piripaua & Whakamarino

Piripaua Section Grade 2-3
Whitewater NZ assists the Hawkes Bay Canoe Club and Genesis Energy to organise releases on the Piripaua section of the Waikaretaheke River.

Character: This is a nice easy run suitable for an intermediate level paddeler. Its a short play run, with lots of small play features, small wave trains and eddies. This section has been used for slalom and wildwater competitions in the past.

The put in is off State Highway 38 (Waikaremoana to Wairoa Road) at the Pipirua Power station and the take out is at farm field comtaining a swingbridge a few km down the road. The swingbring has seen better days and care should be taken when crossing. The shuttle can be run on foot.

Although this is an easy run it fallen willows in and across rapids provide a very real threat to inexperienced paddlers or swimmers (see photos). The HBCC clears the river regularly and this run and the Whakamarino run are usually, but not always, clear.

Whakamarino Section Grade 3-4
Character: Watch out for logs! Scout this section the day before a release (when the bed is dry), to familiarise yourself with the hazards or go with someone that knows the river from the Hawkes Bay CC.
This section does not have enough water for kayaking except for those dates when releases are provided.
Awesome continuous white water! Shallow in places & may have logs. A fun short run. Continue down the Piripaua section, both sections taking around 1.5 hrs to complete all up.

Check footage out here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebYyx3NmTx0