Whitewater NZ |

Tongariro Access 10 Natural Flow
2021-03-22 08:00 - 2021-03-31 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland)
A10 river section at natural flow during the period of 22nd through to 31st.
Genesis maintenance work will result in higher flows than usual on the Tongariro River for much of March.
From Monday 22 March to Wednesday 31 March, the Poutu Tunnel and Canal will be inspected, affecting the flows downstream of Poutu Intake, including at Tūrangi township. These flows will be approximately 15-25 cumecs higher than what is normally seen in the lower Tongariro River. Flows will also be higher in the Poutu Stream during this period.
Due to the nature of the work, either or both inspections may be completed and the river returned to its usual flows before the end of the periods described above.
Please be aware that these flows will also be subject to natural fluctuation and generation flow change at any time.
Flow information can be found on the Genesis website.

Wairoa River Recreational Water Release
2021-03-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-03-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-03-07 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-02-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-02-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-02-07 10:00 - 16:00
A controlled release of water into the Wairoa River will take place between 10am and 4pm.
The Wairoa river near Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s best stretches of accessible white water. The Trustpower Kaimai Hydroelectric Power Scheme provides great white water for recreational kayakers and rafters, by regularly releasing water from McLaren Falls dam.
Please note, the top river section is grade four – exceedingly difficult with long and violent rapids. Safety on the water is your own responsibility, so suitable skills and preparation is vital. If in doubt, contact the Kaimai Canoe Club.
Location – McLaren Falls Rd off State Highway 29 Lower Kaimai (Map)

Tongariro Access 14 & 13 Natural Flow
2021-03-06 08:00 - 2021-03-22 17:00
A14 A13 river sections at natural flow during the period of 6th through to 25th.
Genesis maintenance work will result in higher flows than usual on the Tongariro River for much of March.
From Saturday 6 March to Friday 19 March (Works extended to 22), the Moawhango and Rangipo Intake Tunnels will be inspected. This work means flows from Rangipo Dam to Poutu Intake will be at natural levels, and more subject to natural fluctuation. This work will also require a flow discharge into Waihaha Stream of up to 3 cumecs, so please be aware of higher flows than normal in this stream and its crossing on the Tree Trunk Gorge track.
Due to the nature of the work, either or both inspections may be completed and the river returned to its usual flows before the end of the periods described above.
Please be aware that these flows will also be subject to natural fluctuation and generation flow change at any time.
Flow information can be found on the Genesis website.

Buller Festival 2021 (Postponed)
2021-03-06 06:00 - 2021-03-08 06:00 | Buller river, Murchison
Due to COVID restrictions this Event has been postponed. A new Date is to be announced ASAP.
Buller Festival, New Zealand’s premier white water event, takes place in Murchison.
Full events details to follow closer to the date.
Check our Buller Festival 2021 on Facebook and https://bullerfestival.wordpress.com/

Tongariro River Recreational Release (Access 13 & 14)
2021-02-21 08:00 - 16:00
Genesis Energy will provide a recreational release of the Tongariro River section below Rangipo dam & Intake. There are two sections suitable for paddling and are known as Access 14 (A14) & Access 13 (A13). A14 is from Rangipo dam to upstream side of Tree Trunk Gorge. A13 is from downstream side of Tree Trunk Gorge to upstream of Waikato falls.
Flows of 30 cubic metres per second for 8 hours will be released from Rangipo Dam between 8am and 4pm.
For the Rangipo Dam release, Grade 4+ rapids require a very high level of competence. You MUST be aware of the location of the exit points before Tree Trunk Gorge and Waikato falls to safely utilize this release.
Location – Rangipo Dam (A14 Get-in), Rangipo Intake Road off Desert Rd (Map)
Stop the spread of freshwater pests!

All equipment that has come from any other fresh waterway (regardless of island) must be decontaminated using approved methods (see CheckCleanDry) before entering the river.
Please do not rely on the ‘dry’ method alone as the inside of kayaks take a very long time to dry out!
Cleaning solution is available at the entry and exit points during recreational releases.

Tongariro River Recreational Release (Access 10)
2021-02-20 09:00 - 15:00
Genesis Energy will provide a recreational release of the Tongariro River section below Poutu dam & Intake. This section is known as Access 10 (A10)
Flows of 30 cubic metres per second for 6 hours will be released from Poutu Intake into the Tongariro River between 9am and 3pm.
Location – Poutu Dam (Get-in), Kaimanawa Rd off Desert Rd (Map)
Stop the spread of freshwater pests!

All equipment that has come from any other fresh waterway (regardless of island) must be decontaminated using approved methods (see CheckCleanDry) before entering the river.
Please do not rely on the ‘dry’ method alone as the inside of kayaks take a very long time to dry out!
Cleaning solution is available at the entry and exit points during recreational releases.

Wairoa Extreme Race
2021-02-13 09:00 - 2021-02-14 17:00
2021 Wairoa Extreme Race & Recreational Water Releases (2 days)
Epic racing as always down the mighty Wairoa River.
Event Schedule –
Saturday 16th February
9am-10am – Registration (Top Carpark 100m Past McLaren Falls)

10:15am – Race Briefing

10:45am – Open Men & Women & U18 Time Trial Qualifications (From Top Section put in to banner river left bottom of Roller Coaster)

12.30pm – Slalom Gorge Time Trial Qaulifications at the slalom gorge.

1.30pm – Slalom Gorge Boater Cross

5.30pm- Slalom Gorge prize giving followed by movie / photo presentations

6.30pm – DJ Kicks off , Dancing Time!

Sunday 17th February

9:30-10am -Top Section Boater Cross Registration (if you were unable to race Saturday) (Top Car Park 100m Past Mclaren Falls bridge)

11:30am – Boater Cross Briefing (meet above top waterfall river right)

11:45am – Boater Cross Racing Begins

3pm – Mass start fun race from bottom of roller coaster to bottom waterfall

4:30pm Prize Giving @ Wairoa take-out paddock

Event Information –

https://www.facebook.com/events/mclaren-falls-park/wairoa-extreme-race-2021/827179711378864/

Location – McLaren Falls Rd off State Highway 29 Lower Kaimai (Map)

Wairoa River Recreational Water Release
2021-01-31 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-01-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-01-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-01-10 10:00 - 16:00
A controlled release of water into the Wairoa River will take place between 10am and 4pm.
The Wairoa river near Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s best stretches of accessible white water. The Trustpower Kaimai Hydroelectric Power Scheme provides great white water for recreational kayakers and rafters, by regularly releasing water from McLaren Falls dam.
Please note, the top river section is grade four – exceedingly difficult with long and violent rapids. Safety on the water is your own responsibility, so suitable skills and preparation is vital. If in doubt, contact the Kaimai Canoe Club.
LOCATION: McLaren Falls Rd off State Highway 29 (Lower Kaimai)
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/McLaren+Falls/@-37.8047758,176.0415785,1245m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d6dcef2d3d9caab:0xa828e23ac07ecd0d!8m2!3d-37.8059441!4d176.044879

Packrafting Meet-Up 2021
2021-01-21 13:00 - 2021-01-24 16:00
Event by PRANZ – Packrafting Association of New Zealand.
Annual national get together for members of the Packrafting Association of NZ.
Location – Rotoiti Outdoor Education Centre Lodge, St Arnaud. (Map)
Event Info – http://www.packrafting.org.nz/meet-up/2021-st-arnaud/

Andy Duff Memorial Race
2021-01-16 17:00 - 20:00
Annual kayak & raft race on the Kaituna River in memory of Andy Duff.
Location – Kaituna river, Rotorua
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/andyduffmemorialrace/?ref=page_internal

Xmas at Kaituna 2020
2020-12-19 07:30 - 19:30
About: A jam-packed day of fun, once again there will be the progressing downriver boater X, an 8 ball race and teams beach ball race. In the past a few people with pool toys have turned up and floated down the river too.
Entry: Bring $10 entry plus a $5 secret santa gift (must be wrapped, and be a little bit thoughtful too ) Register on the day at Okere Falls Store from 8:30am till 9:30am.
Event Schedule:
Rego @ The Okere Falls Store – 8:30-9:30am
Briefing – 9:45am
Progressive Boater X – 10:30am
The 8 Ball Battle – 1:30pm
Teams Beach Ball Race – 3:30pm
Unofficial Inflatable Float – 5:00pm
Prize-giving & secret santa – 6:30pm
Event Location: Kaituna River / Okere Falls / Rotorua https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Okere+Falls,+Rotorua/@-38.0016817,176.3322305,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d6e88a7c716616d:0x500ef6143a2ee50!8m2!3d-38.008472!4d176.3661003

Wairoa Recreational Release
2020-11-29 23:00 - 2020-11-30 05:00
Scheduled recreational release.
Water release starts at 10am and end 4pm.
Check out the online river guide for details on the run. Also check out Kaimai Canoe FB page.
Access along SH29.
