Mid Manawatu River Fishing Access Points

Ashhurst Bridge

On the Ashhurst side of the river, turn off SH3 on the upstream side of the bridge and follow the gravel track onto the river bed. This access provides excellent access to a considerable length of fishing water on the Manawatu River and also the lower Pohangina River. It is a great area to take the family fishing, combined with picnics and swimming.

Raukawa Road

Raukawa Road runs off SH3, directly to the river, about 3km towards Palmerston North from Ashhurst. Park at the end of the road and DO NOT block any gateway. Climb over the stile at the fence by the stop bank (signposted) and walk directly to the river. Access along the river is permitted courtesy of Higgins Aggregates Ltd (downstream for approximately 2km,) and Blackleys Construction Ltd (upstream for approximately 1.5km). Both these companies have gravel quarrying operations adjacent to the river and it is VERY important that anglers do not wander through these areas. PLEASE KEEP TO THE RIVERS EDGE. The floods in 2004 caused bank erosion upstream of Raukawa Road and it may be that heavy machinery is operating beside and in the river. If this is the case please keep clear of these operations at all times. If fishing upstream, it is possible during summer flows for anglers competent at crossing rivers to cross to the true left side.

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Orrs Road

Orrs Road runs off Fitzherbert Road East, which runs from the Ashhurst Bridge to Aokautere. Drive to the end of Orrs Road and park about 100m past a big red barn that is on your left-hand side and before the gate (locked). Walk down the gravel track to the bottom of the river terrace and either turn right off the track and cross the paddock to the river to fish upstream or carry on about 1km on the gravel track to the river.

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Te Matai Road

Access to the river is possible through Higgins Aggregates Plant at the eastern end of Te Matai Road. Anglers MUST call into the plant office to check that access is okay and ask the best way to the river. Please be aware that this is a quarry site where heavy machinery operates and where deep holes are being excavated. The quarry site is privately owned. Please respect this and please report any suspicious activity around their plant and machinery. Vandalism can be a problem and anglers can help by being vigilant.

Palmerston North

On the true right of the river between Riversdale Road (off the city end of Te Matai Road) and Maxwells Line there is a public walkway. Access to mid-sections of the walkway is possible from a number of streets within the city - for example, Ruahine Street, Albert Street, Fitzherbert Ave, Dittmer Drive. The river can be fished using the walkway as access although much of the bank to the water's edge is steep and tree-lined.

Staces Road

From Aokautere travel down Staces Road to its end. Park without obstructing any gateway, SHUT any gate you open, and walk across the paddock directly to the river. Alternatively, off Staces Road turn left into Pinfold Road, travel to its end, park without obstructing any gateway and walk directly to the river.

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Aerodrome Road

Access is off the end of Aerodrome Road. Go past the last house (on the right), across the cattle stop, and follow the track which will take you to within about 30m of the river. There is only legal public access downstream of this point on the true right, but it extends for 6.7km to the confluence with the Tamaki River. However, after 2.4km there is legal public access on the true left as well for the next 2.4km.

Oringi Road

Access off Oringi Road (signposted). Please park at the parking area near the gate. Do not drive through the gate and up the track. As there is no legal public access either upstream or downstream of this point, Fish & Game has organised access on your behalf with the landowners adjoining the river. This negotiated access covers both sides of the river (except about 800m on the true right downstream of the Tamaki) between Kumeroa and the confluence of the Tamaki River confluence.

Please comply with the Conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access, as the continuing goodwill of the landowners depends on it.

Beatson's Corner

Access is off Jackson Road (signposted). From Hopelands Road, travel about 5.7km to a sharp left turn (400m after crossing the Raparapawai Stream) and park on the wide grass verge. If traveling southwards down Oringi Road, it is a sharp right turn, about 3km after the Gaisford Road intersection. Walk through the double pipe and wire gate, 250m down the track to the river. Fish & Game has organised this access on your behalf with the landowners adjoining the river.

Please comply with the Conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access, as the continuing goodwill of the landowners depends on it.

Kumeroa Village, Kumeroa Domain and Potter Road

Kumeroa Village: Turn left into Township Road, then left again at the Little Road 'T' intersection. Follow the Little Road extension, through the gate and down to the river.

Kumeroa Domain: At Kumeroa Village, turn left into Domain Road. At the Little Road intersection, leave the sealed road and go straight ahead through the gate and follow the fenced off lane for 700m (after dropping down the river terrace, follow the fence on your right) to the river. Please close the gates. The gate may be locked during lambing or other stock-sensitive times.

Potter Road: Continuing up Little Road, turn left into Potter Road, go to the end of the seal, and continue along private gravel road and ask for permission and direction to the river at any of the houses.

Upstream of Kumeroa: Please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access, as the continuing goodwill of the landowners depends on it.

The Honey House

Cross the river at the Hopelands Bridge, turn left up Kumeroa Road, and after traveling 2.3km, turn left off Kumeroa Road, through the second set of double pipe and netting gates onto the riverbed. Please close the gates.

Jackson Road metal pit

Access is off Jacksons Road. From Hopelands Road, travel about 1.7km up Jacksons Road to where the river comes closest to the road. Park beside the road and walk through gates to the river.

Hopelands Bridge

This is not an access to the river point, rather a landmark to other access points.

Oak Tree

From Hopelands Road, travel down Bluff Road about 2.5km (or, if traveling upstream on Bluff Road, it is 5.6km from SH2) and park off the road near the Oak Tree (signposted). Please do not drive through the gate or obstruct it, and be careful when parking here if the ground is wet and/or muddy. Walk to the river. Please shut the gate.

Bluff Road , Bluff

From SH2, travel up Bluff Road about 2.6km. Where the road comes close to the river there is a dip in the road and a sharp turn to the left. Do not take the sharp turn left, instead go straight ahead down a steep gravel track and through the gate to the river (signposted). Once on the river berm there is ample room for parking. Please do not wander onto adjoining paddocks. Alternatively, stay on Bluff Road, go around the sharp left corner for another 150m where the next gate on the right can be seen. Park at the gate, taking care not to block it, and walk to the river (signposted). Please close the gates.

Haukopua Scenic Reserve

From either Kohinui Road or Thompson Road turn into Oete Road and from the end of the seal go 1.8km, passing the Haukopua Scenic Reserve sign, and turn right into a metal pit extraction area and the riverbed.

Ngawapurua Bridge - SH2

Access to the river at the Ngawapurua Bridge is off SH2, 800m south of the bridge, or 100m south of the Ngawapurua rail overbridge. Turn off to the left, if heading south, onto an old sealed road, go 200m to a metal gate (signposted) and through the gate (please shut the gate). Continue on a good metal track to pass under both the rail and road bridges then right onto the riverbed.

Troup Road

Access to the river off Troup Road requires the permission of the landowner. Troup Road runs off both SH2 (about 2km north of Ngawapurua Bridge) and SH3 (just on the Manawatu Gorge side of Woodville). Access to the river is through Mr and Mrs Ball's property located on the river's side of Troup Road at the right angle bend. Please 'phone Mr and Mrs Ball on 06 376 5252 and follow their instructions.

Ormond Road

Drive down the Ormond Road extension from its intersection with Troup Road for 1.3km. At the 1.3km mark the road is partially boarded with a metal gate (signposted). Please park here but do not block the gateway. Proceed on foot along the track, through a narrow band of willows, and across the paddock to the river. The walking distance to the river is about 500m. Access along the true right bank within the area shown by the blue line on the map has been organised.

Please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access as the continuing goodwill of the landowners depends on it.

Recreation Reserve

Turn off SH3 across the Ballance Bridge onto Gorge Road and park next to the playground (about 100m from the bridge). Walk into the playground to a fence along the top of the river terrace, then through the bush in an upstream direction following a distinct but unmarked track for about 100m until you see a white arrow directing you down the terrace. The drop down the terrace is steep and a bit tricky to negotiate and it requires a great deal of care if the ground is wet. Head out of the bush in an upstream direction to the river's edge.

Woodville Ferry Reserve, SH3

Turn off SH3 into the Woodville Ferry Reserve, which is between the two bridges over the river at the eastern end of the Manawatu Gorge. Please shut the gate. The reserve is very big and offers plenty of parking and scope for family activities. Please be aware that this access can be closed for vehicles access during lambing.