"Id","Region","River Name","Section","Class","Class (decimal)","Length","Gradient","Time","Put in","Take out","Body" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/kaituna/awesome-gorge","Bay of Plenty","Kaituna","Awesome Gorge","III","3","2km","","25 mins","below Trout Pool Falls","Sharp Left Hand Bend. Orange Spray Paint on River Right. Take out on the right. DO NOT MISS THIS TAKE OUT!","
There is an awesome gorge run on the lower Kaituna - surprisingly enough - called Awesome Gorge! It starts out from the Trout Pool falls as a meandering stream and then slowly picks up pace through a few class I-II rapids that give you a good taste of what is to come. The river backs off slightly at an open area that commercial sledgers use as a take out. Look for the tyre steps and the farm just past the pylons. Beyond this it picks up pace as the gorge narrows. The corners get tighter and suddenly, like your sphincter, the gorge tightens right up and you're into a 300m section of continuous class III white water. There are no eddies. Once you exit the fast-paced section you round a couple more corners before Awesome Gorge Falls. This is a 3m blind drop - run it just off river left with a good boof over the hole at the bottom - hopefully.
About seven more corners of fast moving water and you are at the take out. Look for the bright orange paint. You do not want to miss this.
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/kaituna/gnarly-gorge","Bay of Plenty","Kaituna","Gnarly Gorge","V","5","","36m/km","","Bottom of Awesome Gorge run","","Below Awesome Gorge take out you are immediately into the meat of Gnarly Gorge which is a continuation of Awesome Gorge style of paddling but much narrower, steeper and faster with hidden trees and more waterfalls. You must seek quality local beta before you try this one.
Paddlers have been regularly portaging the ""Gnarly Gorge"" section using the track on river right through the pine forest. It is about a 30 minute walk downstream to the next pool. Be aware the river right is all private land and it is up to the individual to get permission for access. River left for most of the length of ""Awesome and Gnarly"" is ""Scenic Reserve"" but there are very few tracks.
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/kaituna/okere-falls","Bay of Plenty","Kaituna","Okere Falls","III-IV","3.5","1.1km","36m/km","30-60min","control gates by the Kaituna River Bridge on SH33","last drop above Trout Pool Falls (don't miss it!)","A long time classic in the Central North Island the Kaituna is famous for its waterfalls, park " "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/kaituna/smokey-falls","Bay of Plenty","Kaituna","Smokey Falls","III-IV+ (V)","3.725","24km","15m/km","5-6 hours","At end of Gnarly Gorge section","Maungarangi Road bridge","
Includes rapids Number 1, Number 2, Number 3, Smokey Falls, Happy Ending.
The last gorge below 'Smokey Falls' has been accessible for a number of years from the Ash farm on Maungarangi Road. this is a class II-III paddle out to the flat water.
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/mangakarengorengo/ngamuwahine-bridge-to-mclaren-falls","Bay of Plenty","Mangakarengorengo","Ngamuwahine Bridge to McLaren Falls","III (V)","3.24","3km","","1-2 hours","Ngamuwhahine Bridge","Above McLaren Falls","Mangakorengorengo has been a classic Bay of Plenty flood run for the locals. With a large catchment area, this gem does not need much rain to get flowing. Make sure to catch the gauge before hand, low flows are not boat friendly thanks to the coarse bedrock.
From the Ngamuwhine bridge, it is a short paddle to the confluence to Mangakorengorengo (Make sure to use the turn-style/step the farmer kindly installed). The river splits into two channels: both are class III+, most people go river right to paddle of a super clean 3m waterfall. Scoutable on river left. Below the waterfall is about 100m of class III.
Shortly after the class III is some more grade III, watch out for a loud roar as you approach the Abyss (V). Most people stick river left to find an eddy, if not there are eddys on river right above the drop. Scout river left and decide to run it or not.
Below the Abyss is some class II-III action for a kilometre, once you get to the flat section. Watch out for fords, swimmers have gone under these before. Not fun.
Immediately after the ford is a nice class III+ rapid, most people go river left and hard river right to avoid the hole at the bottom on river left. Scoutable on river right. After this is 300m of fun class III, where you will a steep rapid. Make sure to follow the deep water and stay up right. It can be quite shallow. From here, negotiate some more class II-III water till you see the McLarens falls Power Station. Paddle downstream as far as you dare, don" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/mangorewa/pyes-pa-to-maungarangi-road","Bay of Plenty","Mangorewa","Pyes Pa to Maungarangi Road","III-IV+","3.7","34km","10m/km","5-8 hours","Pyes Pa Road or through Lemprieres Farm, 1601 Te Matai Road. Phone 07 573 8034","Maungarangi Road, off SH33 near Long Ridge Park","
Mangorewa River
The Mangorewa River crosses the old coach
road that links Rotorua and Tauranga. Mostly it's no more than a trickle of
water linking a series of swimming holes in a stunning gorge. But - after a
decent nights rain the river turns into something resembling a half pipe for
kayakers.
From the Pyes Pa Rd put in, the river
starts out shallow and fast with a smooth flat bottom and a range of easy
waterfalls. One larger fall, about an hour from the put in, is normally
portaged. After this fall the gradient starts to pick up a little, the walls
close in,and the river starts to look like the Kaituna. Most rapids can be boat
scouted or easily from the bank but there are a couple of blind gorges which
offer no chance of scouting and care must be taken to avoid logs.
About 10km down the water volume increases
because of natural springs in the river. The water gushing from the rocks on
both sides is quite impressive and also allows this section of river to be run
year round. It is possible to gain access through Lempriere's farm. It will
cost about $40 per team to get a ride down the farm on the tractor and you must
call before arriving.
Just below the springs are the two biggest
falls on the river. The first is at the bottom of a steep rapid. In low flows
you may want to portage on the left, in higher flows it can be run on river
right. The second fall is 100m downstream. This is an exciting one because
there is no chance to scout or portage!! But a good boof off the right side
will see you safely in the eddy.. A few more small drops keep the interest up
until the gradient eases right off. After this keep an eye out for a large
water gauge on the left side of the river. The track is on the right side of
the river just opposite this and takes you 200m up through pine forest and onto
a farm and Maungarangi Rd. If you miss this you can paddle to the Kaituna
confluence, turn up it a short distance and get out at Long Ridge Park.
To get to the put in: from Rotorua head
around the lake through the small settlement of Ngongotaha. About 5km north of
the township is the turnoff to Tauranga on Pyes Pa Rd. Follow this road for
about 16km until it drops into a deep gorge - this is the Mangorewa.
To get to the take out: there are a couple
of options and it doesn't make much difference. Either take Te Matai Rd through
to Te Puke then head back south. Or go back to SH33 past the Kaituna River and
head north on this. You are looking for Maungarangi Rd off SH33 about 2km south
of Paengaroa. Once on this road go 900m down to Long Ridge park just before the
Kaituna River bridge. Access the river via the park.
Opato River
To get to the put in: From the settlement of Matawai drive 24km through
the Waioeka Gorge towards Opotiki, watch out for the Manganuku campsite, put in
below the bridge.
To get to the take out: Drive a further 4.5km to a monument on the left
side of the road. From Opotiki drive towards Gisborne, the monument is 2km past
the small settlement of Wairata.
This section of the Rangitaiki below Aniwhenua is a great novice section and one of the favourites in the region. It has been kept alive by river users and environmental groups who banded together in 1995 to fight a proposal by Bay Of Plenty Electricity to dam the river to the base of the falls. When dam is releasing it is possible to paddle from the base of the dam down to the falls.
Aniwhenua Falls makes for an exciting put in and kayakers have been plummeting off the edge for years. Things have changed a little after recent floods and there is a ledge you can hit when there is 2.5 cumecs or less running over the falls. Otherwise take lots of pictures and enjoy this kindergarten huck.
Below Aniwhenua the river flows between fantastic walls of ancient volcanic ash. The water is mostly class I-II and when flows are good the rocks are well covered producing great little waves for aspiring surf hogs and there are plenty of pools and eddies making this a popular teaching run.
To get to the put in: from the township of Murupara head east 2km to the turnoff signposted Whakatane, Te Teko, Kouriki. Follow this road for 3.5km to another junction. Turn left and follow Galatea Road for just over 20km. Turn left at a road sign posted Aniwhenua Power Station, cross the dam and turn right. Follow the road to its end by the Power Station just below the falls.
To get to the take out: drive back to Galatea Rd and turn left. Follow this road for about 9km. There is a jet boat launching ramp at Mangamako Stm that has off road parking and is probably safer than the "
"http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/rangitaiki/jeffs-joy-run","Bay of Plenty","Rangitaik","Jeff's Joy Run","IV","4","11.5km","9m/km","2.5-5 hours","end of the access road","at the rafting finish area","
The Rangitaiki is a great run for paddlers looking to cut their teeth (not literally) on lots of class III water with the added bonus of one class IV drop. It has lasted the ravages of time and while many people have moved on it is still where many North Island paddlers run their first class IV rapid. Besides, the run has lovely scenery and plenty of continuous class II-III action.
Having diced with high speed logging truck death and possibly got lost on the drive to the put in (don't blame me) unwind through the first 200m of flatwater to the top of the old slalom site - scene of NZ's world cup slalom event in 1991. The first of the rapids take you past Rock A (avoid this one as it has killed people before) and Rock B (feel free to find a Rock C) then eases briefly before Fantail Falls and Jeffs Joy. These can be inspected by exiting on the right and groveling down amongst the toetoe (native grass known for slicing you to shreds) to the viewing platform.
Things happen quickly once you drop down the steep ramp of Fantail Falls. Make what ever eddies you can but don't expect to fit a crowd in them. The final plunge over Jeff's Joy is a high speed rush and a rock wall will pass by in a blur, or you'll be upside down and not see a thing.
Jeff's Joy was named after Jeff, surprisingly enough, whose surname has eluded me for years. Jeff was a tyre-tuber of great repute who worked in the forest around Murupara. He accompanied one of the first trips down the river in the early 1970's. Apparently he tubed the top section and by the time he got to the final drop (now named after him) he was unconscious from the beating he took on the way. His mates duly revived him and he lived to tell the tale and have a rapid named after him. Good on ya mate.
The big pool below Jeff's is a good place to regroup and collect any gear and repair any damaged egoes. From here it is a kilometre of class II-III to the " "http://rivers.org.nz/motutua_rapids","Bay of Plenty","Rangitaiki","Motutua Rapids","IV","4","","","","","","
The river starts with a narrow but fairly easy rapid under the bridge and opens out for a km or 2. The river is wide, shallow and swift over a shelf-like bedrock bottom but starts to steepen and narrow as it goes over a couple of smallish drops. It stays pretty narrow after this (portaging and inspection is difficult and sometimes painful due to the dense vegetation and the gorge - however, inspection is pretty important in places).
Just after the last rapid I described, there was a logjam which we had to portage. Not too difficult. Not far below this, the river went into a very narrow channel (2m wide) which lasted about 200-300m. The rapid was relatively easy - maybe grade 3, but committing and with logjam potential - inspectable. Below here, there may have been another narrow rapid before widening briefly. Following this was another very long, narrow, fast hydroslide style rapid which, due to high banks and dense vegetation was not really portageable or scoutable - we took a risk and paddled it blind. As it happened, there were no logjams and it was a nice long narrow grade 3+ rollercoaster (perhaps 4 because of degree of commitment) rapid. After this, the river slowed behind the intake dam which is the get out. There is a risk of logjams anywhere on this section of river, and in places, they could be very hard to avoid. It is a unique and fun section.
Map series 260 (1:50,000) Map No V18. Get in is on Ngapuketurua Rd Bridge and get out is at the Rangitaikie canal intake. Turn off Ngapuketurua Rd left into Kiorenui Rd and then left again when you hit the canal to get to the take out.
See Taking on the Takaputahi, NZC 98.3. Mandatory portage below Boulder Mile.
Egarr (1989, p139) suggests put-in from end of Takaputahi Road, near Toatoa.
""From the put-in the river flows clear and peaceful for some distance, with mossy banks in a scenic gorge. Some log-jams may present problems, as will the occasional rocky drop.
Some distance downstream the gorge suddenly narrows into a canyon with numerous log-jams and steep bouldery chutes, often with long, deep pools between. Some four hours downstream from the put-in you will reach Boulder Mile, where a jumble of boulders in the river from slip debris will make for very slow going. Numerous rock sieves and logs will oblige you to inspect each run as you proceed downstream. Once clear of Boulder Mile, which takes about two hours to negotiate, you will have another 30 minutes to the Motu confluence.""" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/tarawera/lake-tarawera-to-tarawera-falls","Bay of Plenty","Tarawera","Lake Tarawera to Tarawera Falls","II-IV","2.9","7km","5m/km","1.5-2 hours","range of options, see text","range of options, see text","
The Tarawera River begins at the eastern end of Lake Tarawera under the shadow of the mountain of the same name famous for its cataclysmic eruption in 1886 which buried the pink and white terraces. The river drains the popular lake and heads east to the coast through some impressive volcanic geology and via the township of Kawerau. Kayakers have been using the river for years but mainly through Kawerau where the slalom site is situated. The upper river has received more attention in the last few years and offers some enjoyable paddling.
The geology poses some interesting problems. In the top section the river suddenly disappears amongst some rocks and reappears 500m downstream as a 30m waterfall gushing out of a crevice in the rock face. The river flows underground because of a series of lava flow cliffs which blocked the river about 11,000 years ago. The porous rhyolite is cracked and creviced and the water has found its way through in these.
From the lake outlet the river offers 3.5 km of class II-IV boating before the sump and falls. It would definitely be a zero to hero move to link this unlikely line!
Catchment:
Egarr_Comments: slalom course; above Kawerau..a popular trip; pressure waves
Egarr_Code: 111
Egarr_Vol: NI
Egarr_Page: 100
Egarr_Rec: 4
Egarr_Scen: 5
RUS_Code: 1817
The Tarawera
River begins at the eastern end of Lake Tarawera under the shadow of the
mountain of the same name famous for its cataclysmic eruption in 1886 which
buried the pink and white terraces. The river drains the popular lake and heads
east to the coast through some impressive volcanic geology and via the township
of Kawerau. Kayakers have been using the river for years but mainly through
Kawerau where the slalom site is situated. The upper river has received more
attention in the last few years and offers some enjoyable paddling.
The geology
poses some interesting problems. In the top section the river suddenly
disappears amongst some rocks and reappears 500m downstream as a 30m waterfall
gushing out of a crevice in the rock face. The river flows underground because
of a series of lava flow cliffs which blocked the river about 11,000 years ago.
The porous rhyolite is cracked and creviced and the water has found its way
through in these.
A short walk up to the base of the falls
provides a put in for a class II-IV run. Be careful as there are many trees in
this section. There is one class V (P) rapid which has yet to be run and a 3m
waterfall which is scoutable from the road between the last bridge and the road
end.
The Tarawera
River begins at the eastern end of Lake Tarawera under the shadow of the
mountain of the same name famous for its cataclysmic eruption in 1886 which
buried the pink and white terraces. The river drains the popular lake and heads
east to the coast through some impressive volcanic geology and via the township
of Kawerau. Kayakers have been using the river for years but mainly through
Kawerau where the slalom site is situated. The upper river has received more
attention in the last few years and offers some enjoyable paddling.
The geology
poses some interesting problems. In the top section the river suddenly
disappears amongst some rocks and reappears 500m downstream as a 30m waterfall
gushing out of a crevice in the rock face. The river flows underground because
of a series of lava flow cliffs which blocked the river about 11,000 years ago.
The porous rhyolite is cracked and creviced and the water has found its way
through in these.
From below the last (small wooden) road
bridge on the way to the falls is a popular beginner class II trip and the
normal put in with many fast exciting rapids and riffles. Get out at one of the
concrete bridges.
It is possible to paddle all the way to the
town but it is mostly flat. The class II-III slalom course runs the length of
the rugby fields on the edge of town.
Tuakopai River (Tuakopae depending on map or bridge sign)
The Tuakopai or Tuakopae, depending on whether you look atthe map or bridge sign, has become a popular creek to run when its raining hardand in the right place. It has the potential for extreme injury so creek boatselection is crucial. The first descent was made in 2004 by local hard menBlair Anderson, Don Johnstone, Greg Thomas and Matt Horder they poked, hopedand found the now famous Douglas Falls, Spa Falls and a handful of others.
The first of many waterfalls happens right after you leavethe bridge. Run right and it has a clean pool at the bottom. Portage theford/weir just after this it has a lot of exposed steel. The river thenmeanders through dense native bush with many mini rapids for about 15 minutesbefore the skateboard action starts again. All the rock slides and drops arerunnable but you must scout toconfirm there are no new log jams
The first significant waterfall is Corkscrew and is a greattwisting drop. At higher flows run over the rocks on the right. A few moreslides and drops lead down to the mostvertical clean drop on the run - Spa Falls, because the bottom pool is only the size of two spa pools! Scout on theright and you can run right or left. The lead in is shallow and you must get agood boof - spa pools are not very deep and people have hit the bottom here.
Just around the corner is the famous Douglas Falls. Therehas been a log stuck in the bottom for a while rendering it unrunnable. Douglas Falls can be run on the left and with the log butrequires a sideways landing and of course not quite flat or vertical Theleft side offers a slightly easier portage. both sides are available with theeasier on the left. It has been run before but has also claimed two seriousinjuries - a broken leg and a crushed spine. Portaging is fine!
The next waterfall is Pace. This is a fun waterfall andlocals enjoy taking off without giving any information just to see the facialexpressions of the hapless followers. Just enjoy the ride and remember nobodyhits the bottom or any other rocks!
After the confluence with Kaukaumoutiti Stm the flow doublesand river triples in width. When the rapids start again you are into an 800msection of solid class IV+ water with Curtain Falls about a third of the wayalong. Run hard left, or for simplicitys sake down the middle. After Curtainit's all over and you float down to SH29 bridgewhere you can get out or carryon down and join the Te Ahuru which joins the Mangakorengorengo and the Wairoafor a huge day out!
To get to the take out: Either do the longer runs into theMangakarengorengo or Wairoa and use their descriptions. Or from The McLarenFalls turn off on SH29 head south about 5km to the Kaukaumoutiti Stm bridge.
To get to the put in: Continue south on SH29 for a fewkilometres until you reach the Tuakopae Bridge
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/waiari/waiari-gorge","Bay of Plenty","Waiari","Waiari Gorge","II-III","2.5","","","","","","River is Waiari Steam. Put-in and take-out off Te Matai Road.
Trip report in Waikato Kayak Club, Sept 2006.
http://www.waikatokayakclub.org.nz/newsletters/archive/2006/WKC_Sep06.pdf (PDF, 450KB)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=13&ll=-37.824565,17...
The premiere steep creek run in the North Island, with 20m waterfall.
Rapids: B's rapid, Freight Train, Double Drop, Little Brother, Big Guy,
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/waioeka/sh2-to-opotiki","Bay of Plenty","Waioeka","SH2 to Opotiki","I-II+","1.6","28.5km","5m/km","5-8 hours, or do it over two days","junction of wairata Road and SH 2","","The second run, known as Hells Gate starts below Wairata, off SH2. The rapids are all class I-II+. Although the river flows alongside the road it still has a wilderness feel about it with plenty to offer novice and intermediate paddlers in play boats. Both runs gain a half to full class rating when in flood.
To get to the put in: find the turn off to Koranga and the Moanui Valley off SH2 about 9km east of Matawai, (or 60kmeast of Opotiki). Turn onto this gravel road. In less than a kilometre the road forks. Take the right fork and follow signs along Moanui Valley Rd. This road winds down alongside Moanui Stream. Follow this to its end, park where you see a sign informing you of Urewera National Park access in a large turnaround, this is the put in.
To get to the take out: With plenty of water in the river you can paddle to the Waioeka River/SH2 junction at Wairata. If the water is low, or you just can't be bothered, it is possible to cut the trip shorter by turning off SH2 at Wairata and driving about 4km up the gravel road to any point available for exiting the river.
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/waioeka/koranga-to-sh2","Bay of Plenty","Waioeka","Koranga to SH2","III","3","28.5km","5m/km","5-8 hours, or do it over 2 days","on the Moanui Valley Road, by a footbridge where the road first meets the river","junction of Waitara Road","One of the best full river trips in the region.
Flowing through the remote backblocks of the East Cape, the upper stretches of the Waioeka River have some quality continuous whitewater. ""It's definitely well worth the effort"" says local boy and hard man Zak Shaw. High praise for this little known river on the boundary of Te Urewera National park.
The whole run can be done in a long day or split into a two day trip if you want the journey experience. To kayak the upper section put in on Koranga Stm (one of the main tributaries) from the road end to Moanui Station. The Koranga itself is fun with steep and tight rock garden rapids, all of which can be boat scouted. The most difficult rapid is about 1km above the confluence.
Once at the Waioeka Forks the action eases for an hour or so of open shingle rapids. The river then picks up with numerous rocky rapids and chutes all within the class III realm. The best take out is on Waitara Rd.
To get to the put in: find the turn off to Koranga and the Moanui Valley off SH2 about 9km east of Matawai, (or 60km east of Opotiki). Turn onto this gravel road. In less than a kilometre the road forks. Take the right fork and follow signs along Moanui Valley Rd. This road winds down alongside Moanui Stream. Follow this to its end, park where you see a sign informing you of Urewera National Park access in a large turnaround, this is the put in
To get to the take out: With plenty of water in the river you can paddle to the Waioeka River/SH2 junction at Waitara. If the water is low, or you just can't be bothered, it is possible to cut the trip shorter by turning off SH2 at Waitara and driving about 4km up the gravel road to any point available for exiting the river.
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/wairoa/mclaren-falls-to-powerstation","Bay of Plenty","Wairoa","McLaren Falls to Powerstation","IV+-V","4.6","2.7km","16.5m/km","1hr","McLaren Falls bridge, 1km off SH29","Ruahihi Powerstation","The Wairoa (meaning " "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/wairoa/mclaren-falls","Bay of Plenty","Wairoa","McLaren Falls","V","5","","","","","","" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/whakatane/upper-whakatane","Bay of Plenty","Whakatane","Upper Whakatane","I","1","","","","","","
RUS 1812
" "http://rivers.org.nz/nz/bay-of-plenty/whirinaki/whirinaki","Bay of Plenty","Whirinaki","Whirinaki","III","3","","","","","","RUS 1816
"