Wairua River Access Points

Peach Orchard Road Bridge

Two access points and stiles are present either side of this bridge. The first point encountered allows anglers to walk downstream some 0.5km.

The signage point on the far side of this bridge is the start of angler access to the upper reaches, which have entry points at various locations until the council road maintenance ends. Anglers are asked to respect landowners' wishes and property.

Kaimamaku River / Russell Road Access Points

Access points downstream from Peach Orchard Rd allow good easy walking and fishing entry. Follow plastic directional arrows which may indicate whether an angler is to fish up or downstream. Please abide by these markers, as some properties do not have fishing access. Some signage may require anglers to ring for entry permission first which is an arrangement that some landowners prefer. Please abide by their decision, as access through private property is a privilege not a right.

Kaikanui River Bridge

As anglers leave State Highway 1 and turn right into Russell Rd they will come to an access sign immediately prior to the Kaikanui River Bridge. Access at this point allows anglers to fish downstream for 0.5 kms. 200 metres downstream from this bridge is the Kaimamaku confluence, which is a great place for fish during an evening rise. The access along this left-hand side of the river eventually leads fishermen to State Highway 1 again where the river then becomes the Whakapara River.

Kaikanui River Access (Lower Reaches)

Traveling north past the small township of Hikurangi, fishermen will come to the Otonga / Whananaki North Rd turnoff on their right on State Highway 1. The first turnoff on the left along this road is Enwright Road. Drive along this road until the farmer's house is reached. Access to the river across this farmer's property is available. Ask the farmer for permission or phone (09) 433 7449 before leaving home. Access is through private property and allows angling both up and down the river where the farmer indicates.

Kaikanui River Access (Middle to Upper Reaches)

By continuing along the Whananaki North Road for approximately 6 kms, anglers will come to the Pigs Head Rd turnoff on their left. A short distance down this road, a bridge crossing the Kaikanui River can be found. Kaikanui Rd turnoff, on the right just prior to the bridge crossing, gives access to the Kaikanui's upper reaches. Approximately 0.5kms up this road is the first farm building on the left-hand side. Permission to fish the next 2 kms of river from this point may be obtained by asking the farm manager at this address. This section of the river has no marginal strip so permission is imperative. At various points up this road, anglers will find the road in close proximity to the river. By wading upstream from these points, anglers may fish where the river makes that possible.

Otonga River Access

The Otonga River is a medium to small stream which holds lovely fish at different times of the year. Anglers can fish upstream from point 11 and downstream from point 13. This stream is very picturesque and has a predominant cover of trees lining its banks. A mixture of shingle runs and large pools.

Mangahahuru River / Glenbervie Forest (Permit required from NF&G Office)

This waterway is a small glimmer of its previous self as exotic foresting upstream in The Glenbervie State forest has impacted on the water quality. Despite this, fish can still be found in smaller numbers. The stream can be accessed from State Highway One north of the Kauri Dairy Company. Take the first right turn past the factory into Mower Road. Anglers can walk upstream on the left-hand bank into the forest for a short distance. Access also exists off Mains Rd at the forestry entrance gate. Access by foot up this road gives anglers a considerable amount of fishing water. Some reasonable fishing also exists downstream from the State Highway 1 Bridge.

Wairua River / Jordan Valley Road Bridge Access

Just north of the Hikurangi turnoff on State Highway 1 is an intersection on your left, which is Jordan Valley Road. Follow this road until the Wairua River Bridge is reached. From this signage point there is angling access both up and down the river on either side of the bridge. The marginal access is part of the Hikurangi Swamp Drainage Scheme, which is easily recognised in both directions by the presence of stop banks which restrain floodwaters during wet periods. Access is alongside the river in both directions and enables anglers to fish for several kilometres. Anglers can travel from point 18 to 14 fishing, but are advised that this involves a considerable amount of walking. As in other places, fisher folk are asked to respect private property and livestock as a lot of these areas are leased out for grazing.

Rushbrook Road / Wairua River

Anglers can find this access point as they head towards point 14. Approximately 500 metres before the Wairua River Bridge is a turnoff to the left. Follow this road until you come to within 100 metres of another concrete bridge. At this point down to the right is an access sign and stile. Anglers may fish up or down this stretch of water.

State Highway One / Waiariki Stream

Heading north on State Highway 1 is a railway crossing which is the first one north of Whangarei. Some 800 metres south of this crossing is a small stream which runs under the road. An access point adjacent to an old section of state highway allows anglers to fish upstream slightly, but predominantly downstream on the right-hand bank. The left-hand bank allows access to many kilometres of farmland fishing, which is part of the Hikurangi Swamp Flood Protection plan. Anglers are asked to be careful when crossing the railway lines at this point, and are asked to park their vehicles in the old roading opposite State Highway 1.

State Highway One / Waiotu River

At the aforementioned railway crossing is an angler access point which provides fishing opportunities downstream on either bank. The roadside bank access allows anglers to walk a loop and end up back at access point 18. The northern bank provides access to unlimited amounts of fishable water, which is only accessed by foot.

Tapuhi Road / Waiotu River

About 2kms north of the rail crossing on State Highway 1, fisher folk can turn right just past the Hukerenui Tavern onto Tapuhi Road. Proceed up Tapuhi Road until the second concrete bridge is crossed. Just over the bridge on your left is an access sign and stile. From this point upstream until anglers reach access point 21 is a good 2 - 3 hours of scenic fishing. The river in this area has predominantly wooded banks and is a good challenge for anglers who have patience.

Upper Tapuhi Road / Waiotu River

Approximately 1.5 kilometres up Tapuhi Road from access point 20 is another entry point and stile. A short 500-600 metre walk along the fence line will bring you to the Waiotu River. Fishing is permitted upstream for some 2 - 3 hours until anglers reach the Morgan Road Bridge. This entire area of the river has tree-lined banks and is very picturesque to fish.

Morgan Road / Waiotu River

Upstream from access point 21 is Morgan Road Bridge. Anglers may fish upstream on the right-hand bank for approximately 1.5 kms. From the bridge they may fish downstream on the left-hand bank until access point 21 is reached.

Matarau Road Bridge / Wairua River

From access point 17, keep following Rushbrook Road until a T-intersection is reached. Turn right and follow this road until you reach the Matarau Road / Wairua River Bridge. 100 metres past this bridge on the right-hand side is an access point and stile. The river upstream of this area flows between flood control stop-banks.

Access from this point allows anglers to fish upstream until they reach the Jordan Valley Bridge. The walk up this stretch of water is productive and will take 2 - 4 hours depending on an angler's fitness level.

Rapids Road / Wairua River

By following Pipiwai Road on the left just north of Kamo for approximately 16 kms, a left-hand turn into Rapids Road can be found. At the end of this road is a farmhouse. Anglers can gain access permission to the river from these folk. Directly south of the cowshed then downstream is perhaps the best place to start fishing. A marginal strip runs south down the western bank until the Malone Road bridge. If anglers fish this area, please respect stock, fences and, most of all, the landowners.

Malone Road Bridge / Wairua River

This area is easily accessed by taking the Whangarei / Dargaville highway. Approximately 1km before Mangatapere on the right is Kokopu Block Road. Follow this road until you reach an intersection. Turn left and travel west on this road until Malone Road is located on your right. At the end of this road is a bridge. On the other side of this bridge is a marginal strip which extends to the south as far as Hilton Road, and up river from this bridge to Rapids Road. Good fishing may be found along these stretches of water, especially in the evenings when the fish are active.

Hilton Road / Wairua River

Continuing south from Malone Road, the Mangakahia Road will be reached. Turn right, cross the Wairua River Bridge, and carry on until the Hilton Road turnoff appears on your right. An access point and stile is positioned at the end of the council road, and allows fishing upstream to the Malone Road Bridge. This stretch of river is tree-lined for many kilometres as it meanders through surrounding farmland.