Ngaruroro River

The Ngaruroro rises in the Kaimanawa Range, runs south-east between the Kaimanawa, Kaweka and Ruahine ranges, and crosses the Heretaunga Plains to reach the sea between Napier and Hastings. It is a wild rainbow trout river with some brown trout. Fish & Game puts the average at about 1.5 kg, with many fish over 4 kg. The upper river, from Boyd Hut down to Kuripapango, is backcountry water known for its clarity. Below the hills it becomes a wide plains river, and sea-run trout reach a good size in its lower reaches.

The upper river is clean and clear over gravel and stone, so you can spot a fish and stalk it. Fish dries and nymphs: a Hare and Copper, a Hare's Ear and a Pheasant Tail below, and an Adams or a Royal Wulff on top. The middle river across the plains carries more colour, is mostly wadeable, and suits nymphs, dries and spinners such as a Mepps. Lower down, spinners, wet flies such as an Invicta, and smelt patterns take the sea-run fish. Weed can be a problem in the lower river in summer. The upper river has a 550 mm maximum: you may not keep a trout over 550 mm upstream of the Whanawhana cable, so the big fish go back.

The backcountry is a multi-day trip. The Boyd airstrip, a DOC landing site above the river, takes fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters with a DOC permit, and DOC huts line the river below it: Ngawaparua Hut, Omarukokere Biv, Rocks Ahead Hut, Kiwi Mouth Hut and Cameron Hut. From the airstrip to Kuripapango is about three days down the river. Boyd Hut can also be reached on foot over several days from Taharua Road or Clements Road. Kuripapango, 60 km inland from Napier on the Napier–Taihape Road, is where the road meets the river, and a free, basic DOC campsite sits beside the water there. On the plains there are many access points, but much of the bank is farmland, so ask before you cross it. Below Gold Creek the river runs through the Top Gorge, so plan your route around it, and carry spare food in case a fresh holds you at a hut.