The Mohaka and Waipunga contain several stretches that will appeal to those primarily interested drifting through serene surroundings, listening to birdsong and the sound of the river.

 

The middle section of the lower river provides just the opposite.

 

There is over 20 km of Grade 3 to 5 rapids, combining great scenery with challenging white water.

 

Raft Fish NZ offers a day trips with take-out points either at the Department of Conservation’s Everetts campsite or further downstream at the confluence of the Mohaka and Te Hoe Rivers

Class 1 - Easy
Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.

 

Class 2 - Novice

Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily avoided by trained paddlers.

 

Class 3 - Intermediate

Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex manoeuvres in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided.

 

Class 4 - Advanced

Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast manoeuvres under pressure.

 

Class 5 - Expert

Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added risk. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness.

 

Definitions are courtesy of Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Scale_of_River_Difficulty