New Zealand’s rivers are beautiful, primal places to be preserved; incredible living streams where you can find yourself among trout and massive boulders. The shallows are fast moving, oxygenated, and spectacularly breathtaking, while the deeper portions of the rivers move more slowly, and mystical rays of light cast themselves down, playing on the splendid, millennia-old rock formations. Not suitable for the faint of heart, and certainly not for beginners, these New Zealand river drift dives are extraordinary. Let’s muster our courage and take a look.
The Tongariro River
With clean, clear water that flows from the majestic snow-covered mountains above, the Tongariro River originates in the central plateau of the North Island. Filled with rainbow trout and brown trout, it is New Zealand’s most fished river. To dive here is to experience something completely different from what you may be used to, and as there are hazards all along the way, therefore; it is important to go with a local guide or plan to go with the Mount Maunganui or Tongariro Underwater Clubs.
Along the way, beech forests shelter New Zealand’s birds and wildlife, and if you are fortunate, you may even encounter rare whistling ducks. Be cautious of white water rafters, and watch out for lost fishing tackle, particularly near shore.
Waikato River
Moving at eight to ten knots, and with boulders the size of small cars, the Waikato River is home to rainbow and brown trout, and is a popular place for all types of recreation. Bungee jumpers leap from the high walls near Taupo, riding to and from the Taupo Bungee base on high speed jet boats. For this reason, it is important to plan carefully prior to entering the water. Taupo Bungee needs to be notified that there are divers in the water in order to prevent accidents, and it is also important to dive with a flag. Either go with a local guide, or make plans with Dive Inn. This exciting drift dive covers approximately 2.4 kilometers and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Once in the water, which can be just over 10 degrees Celsius in the winter and about 22 degrees in the summer, you will find deep pools filled with trout. As you pass beneath the Bungee area, you’ll find all sorts of artifacts which have fallen from jumpers’ pockets. After that, the river speeds up and slows down, and the varied geology is simply spectacular, as are some of the rapids you will go through. The best exit point is at Hot Water Stream, where you can warm up, or if you like, you can exit at Reid’s Farm. This is the final exit before Huka Falls, which will send you hurtling to an early death if you don’t manage to make it out of the water on time. Other hazards include the aforementioned boulders as well as eddies and back eddies and submerged trees. In addition, you should surface before the warm spring and keep your head out of the water while enjoying it, as there is a particularly nasty strain of meningitis which is sometimes present.
While enjoying these drift dives, you will also find some evidence of human influence of the worst sort – shopping carts and old car tires can be seen in some places, and if you drift dive the Tongariro, you’ll find yourself moving past the Rangipo Prison. Luckily, most of what you’ll see is beautiful and inspiring – and the memories of the rush of New Zealand river diving will stay with you for life.