Our purpose is to preserve New Zealand's whitewater resources and enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.

Guide to the Whanganui River

in

About the guide

A 56-page A5 guide book for canoeists, kayakers, raft groups and jet boaters travelling the Whanganui River through the Whanganui National Park.

The first edition was published in 1963, and the current edition is available through Whitewater NZ, and Department of Conservation offices in Whanganui National Park. The guidebook includes thirteen maps, a sun compass, information on several hundred rapids and items of interest, useful guidelines on safety, transport, group equipment, and more.

If you have used the guidebook and have corrections or additional information, we would really appreciate your input.

Prices quoted are in NZD and include GST and Postage & Packaging within New Zealand. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Please make cheques out to 'Whitewater NZ' or contact us with credit card details.

Table of Contents, Edition 19

  • Introduction
  • Equipment
  • Food
  • Camping
  • Cooking
  • Packing
  • Health
  • First Aid
  • The Rapids
  • Hazards and Obstacles
  • Group Organisation
  • How to use this guide
  • Approximate distances between main points of interest (table)
  • Section A: Taumarunui (0km) to Ohinepane (21.5km) + map (PDF, 56k) sample from 15th edition
  • Section B: Ohinepane (21.5km) to Ohura River (46km) + map
  • Section C1: Ohura River (46km) to Retaruke River (58km) + map
  • Section C2: Retaruke River (58km) to Kirikiriroa (71.5km) + map
  • Section D: Kirikiriroa (71.5km) to John Coull (92km) + map
  • Section E: John Coull (92km) to Tieke (124km) + map (PDF, 35k) sample from 15th edition
  • Section F: Tieke (124km) to Pipiriki (145.5km) + map
  • Section G1: Pipiriki (145.5km) to Matahiwi (167km) + map
  • Section G2: Matahiwi (167km) to Atene (185.5km) + map
  • Section H: Atene (185.5km) to Hipango Park (208km) + map
  • Section I: Hipango Park (208km) to Wanganui (234km) + map
  • Supplementary Notes, Section B: Ohinepane (21.5km) to Ohura River (46km) + map, Section E: John Coull (92km) to Tieke (124km)
  • Legend and History of the River
  • Department of Conservation
  • River Control and the Rules of the River
  • River Craft
  • Rafts and Dinghies
  • Jetboats
  • Land Transport
  • Repairs
  • Shooting
  • Leave Intentions
  • Rescue Charges
  • Additional Information
  • Acknowledgements
  • Further Reading
  • Reserves Handbook
  • Index
  • Whitewater NZ
  • Whitewater NZ Membership form (available here)
  • Map of Wanganui region

Changes

Changes pending for the next edition

Nil.

Edition 18 (2010) to Edition 19 (2016) (in print)

  • Hut and Campsite Passes (p5). Changed title to Huts and Campsites on the Whanganui Journey. Changed 'There are three pass options: Full Journey
    Taumarunui to Pipiriki (all campsites and huts). Pass valid for 4 nights/5 days only.
    Adult $45 (if a pass is not purchased prior to starting the journey, adults are required to pay $60).
    Taumarunui to Whakahoro only
    All campsites between Taumarunui and Whakahoro. Pass valid for 1 night/2 days. Adult $10.
    Youths 17 and under are free.
    Passes are available from the Department of Conservation in Wanganui, the Wanganui and Taumarunui Visitor Information Centres, National Park Backpackers and some concessionaires and river operators (e.g. canoe hire outlets).
    During the winter off-season (May - September) the designated campsites are free of charge. Hut users must have a hut ticket or a back country hut pass.'
    to
    'Department of Conservation camp sites, huts and associated facilities are provided for river traveller's use. They offer shelter, water, toilets, although no toilet paper is supplied. Boil, treat or filter water if you doubt its purity. All huts have mattresses and cooking facilities. They do not have showers, lighting, pots, plates or utensils. At John Coull Hut wardens are usually present during the Great Walk season (1st October - 30th April). At Tieke Kainga, whanau or kaitiaki (wardens) may be present at any time.
    Booking is essential to stay in the huts or campsites during the Great Walk season; these can be booked and paid for through the National Visitor Booking System on the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz or at Department of Conservation offices, information centres, canoe hire operators and other sales outlets. Revenue from ticket and pass sales assists with maintenance of huts and campsites.
    Great Walk Season 1 October - 30 April
    Bookings for huts and campsites are required for adults and youth however youth are free of charge. Bookings must be made before starting your journey to secure a hut bunk or tent site.
    Off Season 1 May - 30 September
    Campsites; free.
    Huts; Youth - Free. Adults - three hut tickets per person, per night or a Backcountry hut pass may be used.
    Book online - www.doc.govt.nz.'
  • Added: Maps (p6) We recommend the “Whanganui Journey” 1:50,000 water-proof map by Geographx. See geographx.co.nz or DOC, booksellers, or outfitters. This guide uses locations referenced to the NZ Geodetic Datum 1949 and needs to be updated to reflect the NZTM 2000 datum and NZTopo50 map series.
  • Camping (p7): Changed 'A pass, valid for five days - four nights is required to stay at the campsites or huts' to 'Bookings are required to stay in the huts and campsites'. Changed 'Refer to ‘Hut and Campsite Passes’ (p5) for details of the two pass options. Passes are available from the Department of Conservation in Wanganui, the Wanganui and Taumaranui Visitor Information centres, National Park Backpackers and some concessionaires and river operators (e.g. canoe hire outlets). The money collected is used to maintain the huts and campsites. During the winter off-season (May-September) the designated campsites are free of charge. Hut users must have a hut ticket or back country hut pass.' to 'Refer to Huts and Campsites on the Whanganui Journey (page 5) for details on booking your hut bunk or tent site through the National Visitor Booking system. This can be done directly online (www.doc.govt.nz) using your credit card or through local outlets Wanganui, Taumarunui & Ruapehu i-sites or through local operators who are also agents for the Whanganui journey.'
  • Camping (p8): Changed 'Domestic pets (including dogs) may not be taken into the Park or Reserves.' to 'Domestic pets (including dogs) must not be taken into the Park or Reserves.'
  • Further Reading (p50): Deleted 'White Water Kayaking by Ray Rowe, Golden Press, 1989.'

Edition 17 (2008) to Edition 18 (2010)

  • Edition 18 has a new ISBN 978-0-473-17500-9.
  • Hut and Campsite Passes (p5). Deleted 'Journey excluding Tieke Kainga. Taumarunui to Pipiriki but not staying at Tieke Kainga. Pass valid for 4 nights/5 days only. Adult $35 (if a pass is not purchased prior to starting the journey, adults are required to pay $50).'
  • Camping (p7): Changed 'three' to 'two'.
  • Approximate distances between main points of interest (p14): Change Aramoho Park Motor camp to Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park (6.5km upstream) (credit to André van Schalkwyk). Change 'Whakahoro Hut and Campsite' to 'Whakahoro Campsite and Bunkroom'.
  • Section C1 (p20): Changed 'Whakahoro Campsite' to 'Whakahoro Campsite and Bunkroom'.
  • Section F (p28): Deleted 'Puraroto Caves: The Puraroto Stream enters through a spectacular cave system. Puraroto caves are wāhi tapu.'
  • Map (p29): Deleted 'The Caves'.
  • (p32) 220 Ahuahu. Add comment, "The campsite has GPS coordinates of E 2692281, N 6163545. The landing (such as it is - not very good in my opinion) is at E 2692225, N 6163544. There is a track leading from the water to the campsite. Campsites are hard to find just below Pipiriki. The best that I could find last February was about 2 km downstream from the Mangataunoka Stream on the right bank. There is a large sandbank there at E 2686374, N 6185426. Then the next reasonable one downstream is on Moutere Island (go through R 211, Parangarahu Rapid, and go up the channel on the right.)." Credit to Jim Parnell for this information.
  • Section I: Hipango Park (p36): Change Aramoho Park Motor Camp to Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park. In this same paragraph change "The Motor camp is administered by the Wanganui City Council, which is planning to install a pontoon dock and name-sign on on the river bank" to "This is a privately owned park with a concrete ramp to access 'land' again. Ideal place to refresh, a heated swimming pool and a private spa, powered, tent sites and self-contained units. Qualmark four star plus facilities." Credit to André van Schalkwyk. Change 'boatmen' to 'boaters'.
  • Map (p37): Change Aramoho Park Motor camp to Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park. Credit to André van Schalkwyk.
  • (p49) Change 'Department of Survey and Land Information' to 'Land Information New Zealand'. Change 'See http://www.maps.co.nz' to 'See http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo-maps/index.aspx'
  • New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association Inc. (p54). Change NZRCA to Whitewater NZ throughout.
  • NZRCA Individual Membership form (p55): Change to 'Whitewater NZ Individual Membership form'.

Edition 16 (2005) to Edition 17 (2008)

  • Edition 17 has a new ISBN 978-0-473-14440-1.
  • Disclaimer (p2): Changed 'http://www.rivers.org.nz/whanganui_guide/' to 'http://rivers.org.nz/whanganui-guide/'
  • Hut and Campsite Passes (p5): Changed 'Adult $60 (discounted to $45 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).' to 'Adult $45 (if a pass is not purchased prior to starting the journey, adults are required to pay $60)'. Deleted 'Youth $30 (discounted to $22.50 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).' Changed 'Adult $50 (discounted to $35 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).' to 'Adult $35 (if a pass is not purchased prior to starting the journey, adults are required to pay $50).' Deleted 'Youth $25 (discounted to $17.50 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey)'. Changed 'Youth $5' to 'Youths 17 and under are free'. Deleted 'Youth is defined for the Journey as being 5 to 17 years old. Children under 5 years of age do not need a pass.' Deleted 'BP (Taumarunui)'. Added 'National Park Backpackers'.
  • Camping (p7): Added 'Note that signs are placed out of the flood zone so keep a lookout for them.'
  • Camping (p8): Deleted 'BP (Taumaranui)'. Added 'National Park Backpackers'. Changed 'Bottled gas is provided in John Coull Hut for cooking' to 'Bottled gas is provided in John Coull Hut and Tieke Kainga for cooking.' Changed 'There is a wood stove for heating and electric elements for cooking at Whakahoro hut.' to 'There are wood stoves for heating.' Changed 'Fire bans may be imposed in dry seasons so a stove is essential.' to 'Fire bans are imposed during the 'Great Walk' season so a stove is essential.' Deleted 'Dead wood littering the forest floor is important as a source of nutrient, and should be left to decompose. Living trees should never be used. Be careful with fire, as hundreds of years of nature’s work can easily be destroyed in a few hours.'
  • Cooking (p8): Deleted 'Dead wood on the forest floor, and live trees must not be used.'
  • Health (p10): Added 'Under no circumstances should rubbish be disposed of in the toilets.'.
  • First Aid (p10): Changed 'During the main season most huts have a warden who has access to an emergency radio.' to 'During the main season John Coull Hut has a warden who has access to an emergency radio.'.
  • Section C1: Whakahoro Hut and Campground (p20). Changed to 'Whakahoro Campsite'. Changed 'Up the hill is the Whakahoro Hut' to 'Up the hill is the Whakahoro Campsite and Bunkroom'. Changed 'The hut sleeps 16 but is "expandable"' to 'The bunkroom sleeps 12'.
  • Section D: Otawhare (p24): Added 'Tamatea’s cave is wāhi tapu'.
  • Section E: Ramanui Landing (p26): Deleted old mobile number.
  • Section F: Puraoto Caves (p28): Deleted 'The upstream cave opens into a small ravine which can sometimes be entered by canoes, there are two blind caves here, one of which winds deep into the cliff. The main downstream cave has a beautiful waterfall dropping from a vaulted inner chamber.' Added Puraroto caves are wāhi tapu'.
  • Section G2: Downes Hut (p32): Changed '$10 per adult per night' to '$15 per adult per night'.
  • Department of Conservation Offices (p43): Changed 'Whanganui Conservancy and Area Office' to 'Whanganui Area Office'.
  • Acknowledgements (p49): Changed 'Editions 10 through 15 have been updated by Jonathan Hunt based on corrections and updates are from Dawn Bramley, Ridgway Lythgoe and Stephen Hormann at DOC Whanganui Area Office' to 'Editions 10 through 17 have been updated by Jonathan Hunt based on corrections and updates from Connie Norgate, George Taylor, Dawn Bramley, Ridgway Lythgoe and Stephen Hormann at DOC Whanganui Area Office. Thank you also to Yeti Tours and Jim Parnell.'
  • Further Reading (p50): "In the Wake of the Riverboats: Tales told by Whanganui Riverboat Pioneers Joshua Harris and his Sons" by Jim Parnell (2005). www.jimparnell.co.nz.
  • New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association Inc. (p54): Changed 'http://www.rivers.org.nz' to 'http://rivers.org.nz'. Changed 'http://www.rivers.org.nz/whanganui_guide' to 'http://rivers.org.nz/whanganui-guide'.

Edition 15 (2004) to Edition 16 (2005)

  • Edition 16 has a new ISBN 0-9597823-9-7. Added to back cover
  • Hut and Campsite Passes (p5): Changed 'Youth is defined for the Journey as being 11 to 16 years old. Children under 11 years of age do not need a pass' to 'Youth is defined for the Journey as being 5 to 17 years old. Children under 5 years of age do not need a pass'.
  • Section E (p26) Ramanui Landing: Now reads "Ramanui Landing: R Private property. "Bridge to Nowhere Lodge" offers dinner, comfortable accommodation and breakfast for $125pp. Self-catering accommodation $45pp, you supply food and bedding. Licensed bar. Emergency phone available at Lodge both cell and satellite phones. Emergency jet boat transport. First aid kit. Bridge to Nowhere (Ramanui) campground is being upgraded with more toilets, hot showers, more covered benched areas. Fresh water and BBQ facilities. $10 per person.

Edition 14 (2003) to Edition 15 (2004)

  • Edition 15 has a new ISBN 0-9597823-8-9.
  • Contents (p4): Changed 'Puketapu (94km)' to 'John Coull (92km)'.
  • Contents (p4): Changed 'Ramanui (124km)' to 'Tieke (124km)'.
  • Contents, Supplementary Notes (p4): Changed 'Puketapu (94km) to Ramanui (124km)' to 'John Coull (92km) to Tieke (124km)'.
  • Sun Compass (p5). Moved to p2.
  • (p5): Added 'Hut and Campsite Passes' (refer Camping, p7)

    There are three pass options:
    Full Journey
    Taumarunui to Pipiriki (all campsites and huts). Pass valid for 4 nights/5 days only.
    Adult $60 (discounted to $45 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).
    Youth $30 (discounted to $22.50 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).
    Journey excluding Tieke Kainga
    Taumarunui to Pipiriki but not staying at Tieke Kainga. Pass valid for 4 nights/5 days only.
    Adult $50 (discounted to $35 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).
    Youth $25 (discounted to $17.50 if purchased prior to commencing the Journey).
    Taumarunui to Whakahoro only.
    All campsites between Taumarunui and Whakahoro. Pass valid for 1 night/2 days.
    Adult $10
    Youth $5

    Youth is defined for the Journey as being 11 to 16 years old. Children under 11 years of age do not need a pass.

    Passes are available from the Department of Conservation in Wanganui, the Wanganui and Taumarunui Visitor Information Centres, BP (Taumarunui) and some concessionaires and river operators (eg canoe hire outlets). During the winter off-season (May-September) the designated campsites are free of charge. Hut users must have a hut ticket or a back country hut pass.'

  • Camping (p7): Changed 'up to 7 days/6 nights' to 'five days - four nights'.
  • Camping (p7): Changed 'These passes cost $35 for adults and $17.50 for youth (discounted to $25 andd $12.50 if bought in advance). Children under 11 years are free. A special $6 pass ($3 for children) for one night between Taumarunui and Whakahoro is also available (2000 prices). In the off season the Whakahoro, John Coull and Tieke huts require 2 DOC hut tickets ($10) or an Annual Hut Pass (AHP). Camping outside huts is one ticket $5 or AHP. Passes are available from the Department of Conservation offices, information centres and some other outlets. The money collected is used to maintain the huts and campsites.' to 'Refer to 'Hut and Campsite Passes' (p5) for details of the three pass options. Passes are available from the Department of Conservation in Wanganui, the Wanganui and Taumaranui Visitor Information centres, BP (Taumaranui) and some concessionaires and river operators (eg. canoe hire outlets). The money collected is used to maintain the huts and campsites. During the winter off-season (May-September) the designated campsites are free of charge. Hut users must have a hut ticket or back country hut pass.'.
  • Health (p10): Changed 'pit-toilets' to 'sealed vault toilets'.
  • Approximate distances: G1 Pipiriki (p14): Deleted 'Colonial house'. Changed 'Ranger Station' to 'DOC Field Centre'.
  • Section D (p26): Changed 'Puketapu (94km)' to 'John Coull (92km)'.
  • Section D: John Coull Hut (p24): Changed 'landing can be difficult' to 'please use the upstream access above the campsite' and changed 'The hut can accomodate 30' to 'The hut can accomodate 26'.
  • Section E (p26): Changed 'Ramanui (124km)' to 'Tieke (124km)'.
  • Section E: Tieke Kainga (p26): Changed 'visitors to the marae' to 'kainga and campsite'. Deleted 'Canoeists choosing not to have a marae experience may proceed directly to the camping area downstream of the marae entrance.'
  • Section F (p28): Changed 'Ramanui (134km)' to 'Tieke (124km)'.
  • Section F: Pipiriki (p28): Deleted 'the Colonial House Museum'. Deleted 'camping area, Ranger Station'. Added 'DOC Field Centre'.
  • Section F map (p29): Deleted 'Autapu' trail in top-right corner.
  • Section E (p39): Changed 'Puketapu (94km)' to 'John Coull (92km)' and 'Ramanui (124km)' to 'Tieke (124km)'.

  • Acknowledgements (p49): Deleted 'Editions 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been updated and indexed by Jonathan Hunt.' Changed 'Whanganui Field Centre' to 'Whanganui Area Office'. Changed 'Recent corrections and updates are from Dawn Bramley, Ridgway Lythgoe and Stephan Hormann at DOC Whanganui Area Office' to 'In edition 11, an index was added by Jonathan Hunt. Editions 11 through 15 have been updated by Jonathan Hunt based on corrections and updates are from Dawn Bramley, Ridgway Lythgoe and Stephen Hormann at DOC Wanganui'.

Edition 13 (2002) to Edition 14 (2003)

  • Edition 14 has a new ISBN 0-9597823-7-0.
  • Disclaimer (p2): Added 'Canoeing and kayaking are activities with inherent risks. The NZRCA takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this guide, nor for any risks or dangers that canoeists or kayakers may encounter. The NZRCA disclaims any liability for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death caused by negligence or any other cause.'
  • Section D: (p24) John Coull Hut. Changed camping available from 'four levels' to 'three levels'.
  • Section E: (p26) Tieke Kainga. Deleted 'Marae.' Description now reads 'At Tieke there is a kainga which offers hut and camping facilities. When Te Whanau o Tieke, the tangata whenua are at the kainga, visitors to the marae are asked to observe protocol. Visitors will participate in a Powhiri (welcome). They will be met on the riverbank where the powhiri will be explained. Accommodation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Food is normally cooked and shared together. The marae has been revived in agreement with the Department of Conservation and offers visitors a unique cultural experience. Canoeists choosing not to have a marae experience may proceed directly to the camping area downstream of the marae entrance. When Te Whanau o Tieke are not in residence at the kainga, visitors may use all facilities.'
  • Legend and History of the River (p42): Deleted 'however a new building is now being erected on the site.'

Edition 12 (2001) to Edition 13 (2002)

  • Edition 13 has a new ISBN: 0-9597823-6-2.
  • Contents (p4): Changed 'Ohinepapa' to 'Ohinepane'.
  • Approximate Distances D (p14): Added 'Campsite' to John Coull Hut.
  • Approximate Distances E (p14): Added 'Kainga' to Tieke Marae.
  • Section D / John Coull Hut (p24): Deleted 'but can cope with up to 40 at a squeeze'
  • Section D (p25): Changed 'John Coull Hut' to 'John Coull Hut/Campsite'. Added camping symbol to John Coull Hut.
  • Section E / 162 Mangatoatoa (p26): Deleted 'a short distance.'
  • Section E / 177A New Rapid (p26): Deleted 'As it is new it is likely to change often until it settles'
  • Section E / Ramanui Landing (p26): Changed
  • Section E / Tieke Marae (p26): Tieke Marae now reads 'Tieke Marae Kainga: L At Tieke there is a kainga which offers hut and camping facilities. Te Whanau o Tieke, the tangata whenua welcome visitors to the marae who are asked to observe protocol. Visitors will participate in a Powhiri (welcome). They will be met on the riverbank where the Powhiri will be explained. Accommodation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Food is normally cooked and shared together. The ancient marae has been revived in agreement with the Department of Conservation and offers visitors a unique cultural experience. Canoeists choosing not to have a marae experience may proceed direct to the camping area downstream of the marae entrance.'
  • Section E (p27): Changed Tieke to Tieke Kainga. Changed 'John Coull Hut' to 'John Coull Hut/Campsite'
  • Section G2 (p32): Downes Hunt. Now $10 per adult and $5 per child.
  • Section G2 / Atene (Athens) (p32): Added 'The Department of Conservation has developed a tramping track along the skyline ridge which surrounds the loop. There is a also a 2 hour return walk to a lookout.'
  • Section G2 (p33): Added lookout to outside of loop track at Atene.
  • Section H (p35): Added lookout to outside of loop track at Atene.
  • Section B (p38): Changed 'Ohinepapa' to 'Ohinepane.'
  • Rescue charges (p48): Deleted 'The current charge is $100.00 per hour'
  • Index (p52): Ohinepane Added '38'. Deleted Ohinepapa.
  • Index (p53): Tieke Marae. Added 'Kainga'

Edition 11 (2000) to Edition 12 (2001)

  • Edition 12 has a new ISBN: 0-9597823-5-4.
  • Camping (p8). Deleted "Campsites sometimes have some wood available for fires but".
  • Cooking (p8). Changed "are strongly urged to" to "must" and deleted "If fires are used, only driftwood and supplied wood should be used as fuel."
  • Health (p10). Changed "plastic bottle" to "(or larger) container".
  • Mangapapa Campsite (p22). Added "117".
  • Section C2: (p23) Shifted Mangapapa campsite symbol to after Mangapapa Stream.
  • Section D: (p24) John Coull Hut. Added "Camping available on four levels on upstream side of hut. Top level has water catcher. Campers share composting toilets with hut users."
  • Section D: (p25). Added camping symbol.
  • Section E: (p26) Tieke Marae. Added "A water catcher/shelter for campers is scheduled for construction."
  • Section E: (p27) Added camping symbol at John Coull Hut.
  • Section F: (p28) Changed Ngaporo Campsite to after Ngaporo rapid.
  • NZRCA Individual Membership Form (p55).

Edition 10 (1999) to Edition 11 (2000)

  • Edition 11 has a new ISBN: 0-9597823-4-6.
  • Camping (p7). Now reads "The Department of Conservation provides a number of huts and campsites at convenient distances along the river. Huts and campsites are clearly indicated by signs on the river bank. To minimise environmental impacts, camping is restricted to designated camp sites only. These are described and marked on the maps in this guide. Since 1993 the Whanganui River has been covered by the DOC "New Zealand Great Walks" regulations. A pass, valid for up to 7 days/6 nights is required to stay at the campsites or huts between 1 October and 30 April each year.
  • These passes cost $35 for adults and $17.50 for youth (discounted to $25 and $12.50 if bought in advance). Children under 11 years are free. A special $6 pass ($3 for children) for one night between Taumarunui and Whakahoro is also available (2000 prices). In the off season the Whakahoro, John Coull and Tieke huts require 2 DOC hut tickets ($10) or an Annual Hut Pass (AHP). Camping outside huts is one ticket $5 or AHP. Passes are available from the Department of Conservation offices, information centres and some other outlets. The money collected is used to maintain the huts and campsites."
  • Section A: Ohinepane Campsite (p16): Now reads "...as an alternative launching place (to Cherry Grove)..."
  • Section B: Ohura River (p18): Maraekowhai Reserve is an Historic Reserve (not a private one).
  • Section C2: 119 Wairingia (p22): There is no longer a track to the top of the razorback. 121 Kirikiriroa. This is not a designated campsite, so reference to landing on shingle-bank removed.
  • Map C2 (p23). Removed inset text "Track to razor back"
  • Section D: John Coull Hut: Removed reference to hut fees, since this is covered in the Camping section (p7).
  • Section E: Tieke Marae (p26). Matemateaonga Track is not a Walkway (also changed on p39).
  • Map E (p27). Changed Matemateaonga map reference to NZMS260 R20.
  • Section F: Pipiriki (p28). The public shelter is run by Ruapehu District Council. Map F (p29). Changed inset text "W.R.R.B Shelter" to "Shelter".
  • Section G2: 220 Ahuahu (p32): Downes Hut fees now $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.
  • Legend and History of the River (p42). Reference to MV Waimarie changed to "The 100-year-old paddle steamer M.V. "Waimarie" has been restored and offers cruises between Upokongaro and Wanganui."
  • Department of Conservation Offices (p43). Changed "Whanganui Field Centre" to "Wanganui Conservancy and Whanganui Area Office."

Edition 9 (1996) to Edition 10 (1999)

  • Cover: Changed NZCA logo to NZRCA logo (logo.tif). Changed New Zealand Canoeing Association Inc. to New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association Inc. Fonts: Times New Roman, Helvetica
  • Inside front cover: Added disclaimer and contact information p2.
  • Camping: Changed DoC hut ticket price to $5 (was $4).
  • Group Organisation: Changed "last man" to sweep, "him" to him or her.
  • Approximate distances between main points of interest: Deleted references to Kaiwaka Campsite and Tokakotuku Campsite (washed away by floods). Changed name of Wanganui Town Bridge (was Wanganui City Bridge) (also Section I, map).
  • How to use this guide: Changed order of paragraphs. Changed "RB" to R, and "LB" to L to suit proposed online guide.
  • Sections A to I and Supplementary notes: Changed section identifiers to letters (A-I) instead of numbers (1-9) to more clearly differentiate sections from rapid numbers. Added downstream distances to section titles. Added section identifiers to list of Approximate distances.
  • Section A: Added note about leaving intentions with family, friends or your accommodation manager.
  • Section C1: Added Toilets and water supply to Maharanui Campsite. Whakahoro Hut sleeps 16 (was 10).
  • Section C2: Added Toilets and water supply to Mangapapa Campsite.
  • Section D: Added Toilets and water supply to Ohauora Campsite. Changed John Coull Hut from "30" to 40. Deleted notes on Kaiwaka and Tokakotuku Campsites. Added note re campsites washed out.
  • Section E: Added Toilets and water supply to Mangawaiiti and Mangapurua Campsites.
  • Section F: Changed "Pipriki" to Pipiriki. Added Toilet and water supply to Ngaporo Campsite.
  • Section H: Changed Atene 'route' to 'track'. Changed Wanganui City Council to Wanganui District. Removed comment on checking out in favour of reference to Leaving Intentions.
  • Department of Conservation Offices (was 'Administrative control'): Added addresses and phone numbers of DoC offices in Wanganui, Pipiriki and Taumaranui.
  • River Craft / Canoes: Changed his/he to their/they, and man to person
  • Land Transport: Deleted "Further services, canoe hire, guided trips, collection and delivery of vehicles between start and finish points of river trips are available from Bob and Mary Grave.
  • Leaving Intentions: Re-wrote to encourage river travellers to leave intentions with family and friends, not DoC.
  • Acknowledgements: Added acknowledgement for Ridgway Lythgoe, DoC Whanganui Area Office. Added detailed list of NZMS 260 Maps.
  • Index: Added index of place names, etc.
  • New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association: Changed title to New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association and updated text to reflect current situation. Added NZRCA Individual Membership form.
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