This is just a short list with brief descriptions of some of our favourites. Click HERE for details on take-ins, take-outs etc. and information on many additional rivers.
If you are new to kayaking: The meanings of the grades of the rivers mentioned here are explained on our NEW TO  KAYAKING? page and we have included links to explanations of terms you may not be familiar with.

ACCESS 10 Tongariro River

See the Whitewater NZ page for this run for more details.
This is our most popular grade 3 run. Some 60 exciting rapids in stunning scenery over the course of a ~3h run. There is nothing quite like doing this trip on a sunny day, watching - between the rapids - the trout under your boat in the crystal-clear water as you "fly" over the rocks at the bottom below. The flow is controlled and fairly constant unless there has been extremely heavy rain.

At the normal flow it is a good river for paddlers who want to "step up" from grade 2 to grade 3.

On occasions the power company schedules releases, increasing the flow, which makes things "bouncier"but not necessarily more difficult (have a look here).

In flood things become more interesting....

Tongariro Bluepool section

Picture
Starting below the Access 10 section, this run, rated grade 2 (grade 2+ by some), has characteristics similar to the Access 10 run, but is much mellower.

​Quite a step up from the Rangitikei grade 2 sections though, and also a bit more challenging than the lower Otaki.

See the Whitewater NZ page for this run for more details.

​Rangitikei River Utiku to Mangaweka
At normal or low flows, a very easy grade 2 run of ~3 hours through lovely scenery - and with many fairly flat stretches between rapids to enjoy the views. Picnic spots galore. A perfect first trip for beginners.

At higher levels the rapids largely disappear. Water boiling up against cliffs where the river bends become the most interesting features. 
See this PackraftingTrips NZ page for more details.
Otaki Gorge
See this PackraftingTrips NZ  page for this run for more details.
Just over an hour's drive from Palmerston North, this is a nice grade 2 beginners trip even when the river is up a bit. In terms of skills required, it is a step up from the Rangitikei Utiku to Mangaweka run, and it does offer more advanced paddlers a chance to test their skills by taking more difficult lines (all easily avoidable by the beginners), cutting in and out of eddies and doing tail stands with their boats. There are two main sections to this run, which can be done together or separately*, each taking about 45 minutes to paddle. At high river levels an additional top section (~20 minutes) can be added.

Click here for a video of an Otaki trip from one of our members.

*The lower section is only slightly more difficult than Utiku to Mangaweka. Unfortunately this is the only section that can be run at the moment, due to a slip in the road.

​Mangahao Slalom Site

See the Whitewater NZ page for this run for more details.
When we have not enough time for doing a river trip (gardening to be done, exams to be studied for, house needs cleaning....), we pick up the phone and call the Mangahao power station flow information line on 06 362 7588. When the station is generating power there will be a flow of 12-15 cumecs in its tailrace, the Mangahao Slalom site in Shannon, and we can be on grade 3 water after a 30 min drive from Palmerston North. The run is only a few hundred metres long but with lots of opportunites for playing on waves, cutting in and out of eddies, boofing over drops or practicing making it through holes. Additional core strength exercise is to be had by carrying your boat upstream between runs. There is a walkway along the course and if you have never been on a grade 3 river this is also a good place to have a look at what these are like ... or to show off your grade 3 whitewater moves to your non-kayaking partner!!

As the name implies the site is also used as a slalom course and comes with amenities such as showers, toilets and illumination for evening paddling (you need to purchase an access card at Bivouac Outdoors to use these).

Manganui-o-te-Ao

This river has recently become one of our favourites, due to its versatility, with sections ranging from an easy grade 2 to grade 2+ and 3, 3+ and all the way to grade 4 (at high flow). Lots of opportunities for rock-dodging (at higher flow, hole-dodging as well) and playing. Plus loads of horizon lines on the upper sections for honing one's "river speed reading" skills. Here's a video of the grade 2+ section; the more difficult sections are steeper and pushier, but of similar character. More information on sections and get-ins and get-outs in the NZ Whitewater River Guide and our More Rivers page.

​Hutt Gorge

See the Whitewater NZ page for this run for more details, including current flow information. The river rises and falls quickly, rain-dependent. Click here for rain forecast.
A grade 3 to grade 4 run, depending on flow, through a magical spectacular unspoilt landscape. The walls of the Hutt gorge are steep, having discouraged any attempts of farming or other cultivation. One almost expects dinosaurs to lift their heads over the heads of tree ferns in the lush native bush. The river has its own spectacular landscape: large boulders and steep rock faces alternating with quiet pools rimmed by shingle beaches - the latter disappearing when rainfall causes the Hutt to rise.

A feast for the eyes combined with play waves, narrow passages and complex boulder gardens make this run a sublime  experience.

An added bonus it the opportunity to catch up with our fellow kayakers from the Hutt Valley Canoe Club. We often do this run together with them.

​Waihohonu

See the Whitewater NZ page for this run for more details.
In a narrow gorge beside the Desert Road flows the beautiful crystal-clear Waihohonu river. It is always lovely, but we cherish it's cold spring-fed waters most on a warm summer's day - especially in early summer when snowmelt adds to the flow. Aside from technically demanding grade 3 paddling, Waihohonu trips come with some additional challenges, including the acrobatics along slippery cliff faces required when doing one or two portages, the second one more or less mandatory. Most of us have stories to tell of mishaps requiring the rescue of boats or paddles dropping into the river during these portages. Other surprise challenges up the Waihohonu's sleeve include trees that fall into the river on occacions, requiring additional portages and rope-assisted river crossings. 

Even more thrills, and photo opportunities, can be added by doing the Ohinepango drops before starting the main run. 

Waiohine and Waingawa
.These two rivers,  located on the Eastern side of the Tararua ranges near Carterton have friendly grade 2 sections in stunning scenery, offering additional choices for novices and grade 2 paddlers. We usually run these rivers in winter, since both require rainfall to be runnable. More information on our More Rivers page.

Whangaehu
Being shaped by lahars and flowing out of an acidic crater lake gives this river its unique character. The water is acidic - reports that it melts eyeglasses are exaggerated. Plenty of rocks hidden just below the surface in its murky waters provide constant challenge as do extensive boulder gardens and narrow passages with drops. The main run (quarry to Colliers Bridge) is a meaty grade 3, which can take some 4 hours to complete (there is a get out in the middle though, if you are prepared for a 40 min walk up a hill). 

Fighting one's way down to the get-in at the abandoned quarry, some  100 metres down a steep slope and through brambles and other vicious plant life is an adventure in itself. An alternative get-in further upstream adds 45 mins to the paddle, about the same time it takes to get to the river at the quarry.

Aside from the main run their are some easier sections below the get-out at Colliers Bridge.
See the PackraftingTrips NZ site or more details.