Waioeka / Koranga to SH2, III
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.
This section appears in New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006 on p53.
