Waikaretaheke / Lower, IV-V

Approximately 15km from Waikaremoana towards Wairoa the river suddenly drops over a bedrock shelf creating a hydro slide rapid that culminates into a 2m horseshoe shaped waterfall. The lead in to this waterfall is tricky and not without consequences. Strainers on either side block most of the downstream flow and will need proper scouting and safety. Once the trees are negotiated with you will have about 7m left to sort your line out down the waterfall. What the drop lacks in height and volume it could make up for carnage. The boil-line appears about a creek boat’s length downstream and the horseshoe shaped lip causes most of the flow to recirculate directly back into the base of the drop. There is a bit of lateral flow that will provide your escape if you boof hard enough. With rainfall the speed of the rapid picks up, eddies disappear and the hole becomes more savage. According to farmer folklore a paddler got recirc'ed in the drop for about 10 minutes (he stated he would never do it again after working). Supposedly, there is an excellent playwave about 100m downstream which needs rain.
Roughly 48km from Wairoa township the road turns to gravel. Park next to the gate on your left about 50m after crossing the Mangapapa bridge. The farmer, who lives on top of the hill, is an amiable chap and friendly towards paddlers. Ask his permission and he might even give you the key to his gate. To get to the rapid just walk down the paddock on the provided track. Leave gates as you find them and don’t abuse stock. At normal flows you can cross the left channel to the island. In very high flows this would be an interesting chicken chute.