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The Pokaiwhenua Stream

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A small stream which is unknown to many, a much overlooked local attraction.

Originating in the Plateau to the South East of Tokoroa (NorWest side of the Horohoro Bluffs) this stream is one of the central contributors leading to the development of the Kinleith Mill. Providing much of the water for the Mill’s operation from its many small tributaries and from the Bore Field associated with its catchment. The clean cold water it provides is ideal for Pulp and Paper production.

In its journey to Lake Kiapiro the stream follows a meandering course passing to the Northeast of the town, crossing State Highway One just before Wests Road, winding North Westward towards Lichfeild. It passes under Wiltsdown Road just after the junction with Paronui road and continues a winding course North West wards. At this point it becomes an interesting study in Waterfalls with 4 main falls and many small ones.

The first pair of Falls are about 1.3km in from the Wiltsdown Road bridge these falls are hard to view as this is the point at which the Pokaiwhenua enters a narrow gorge. You can get a good view of the first falls, but the second falls is not accessible. To get to these falls park clear of the Gateway about 500m north of the Wiltsdown bridge, being considerate of any stock you may encounter walk down to the streams edge and follow the track (a few brambles and blackberry may need to be dealt with). As you proceed down the track you will come across a number of small weirs. Note the width and depth of the stream as you proceed.
After using the Pedestrian turnstiles (Installed by the Lichfield Land Trust) which allow you to cross a Farm track at the bridge, look directly to the North and you will see a tenacious Pine Tree which has managed to root itself through a large rock outcrop. Continuing on you will come across an area where the stream spreads out across a wide Basalt deposit before narrowing into a series of small waterfalls culminating in a drop of about 1.8m into what has been known locally as the Swimming pool.

Immediately below the Swimming pool, the stream narrows as it flows through a narrow fissure in the Basalt formations which form a large part of the path this stream follows. Here the stream is as little as 5 feet wide in places; it makes you wonder where all the water you saw upstream has gone. After the Narrows (The Gut), once again the stream spreads out over another basalt deposit. This is the first of the main falls on the Pokaiwhenua. A fall of about 5m and depending on the flow at the time quite impressive. Another 50 yards on you can catch a glimpse of the second main falls which is unfortunately not accessible at this time.

The Pokaiwhenua continues it North West journey passing under Watou Road and then Arapuni Road. Along Arapuni Road about 5km out of Putararu, is Duxford Reserve Roadside rest where as the stream channels its way through another narrow cataract in the basalt which is prominent in the area it drops over the third main falls. A sharp drop of about 3m.
Following the Old Arapuni road, about 1km past the turn off of Pearsons road near a large clump of Trees there is access to the fourth and last main falls. Once again the stream channels into a narrow cataract and has a number of small cascades cumulating in a larger falls at the end of about 4m.
The lower reaches of the stream where it empties into Lake Karapiro is a well-regarded location by Anglers. There are also colonies of Glow worms located in the cliffs of the lower gorge here. Accessible by Kayak.