Waikato River float dangers highlighted

The Waikato River Float through Taupō is popular but often dangerous with emergency services often called to deal with those getting into trouble in the unpredictable currents. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

It’s a hardy annual that comes up every year - water safety.

Police and water safety agencies are once again calling on people to take care on the Waikato River this summer, particularly between Lake Taupō and Huka Falls – the stretch popular with tourists and locals doing the “river float”.

Every year, emergency services are called to rescue people who have got into trouble while swimming in the river, including those ill-prepared or unaware of the dangers of a leisurely drift down the Waikato River.

In February 2020, Taupō Police rescued two tourists unaware they had to get out at Hipapatua Reserve (Reid’s Farm). The pair had to hold onto tree branches to avoid getting dragged over the falls.

Only a day earlier, two men and a woman had been swept over but survived to tell the tale. One later recounted thinking “this is the end” before being sucked into the maelstrom.

In December 2023, the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board said it was extremely concerned after learning that a visiting school group attempting the “river float” got into such grave danger that the Taupō Control Gates that manage river levels were closed so the group could be recovered safely.

The Waikato River Float through Taupō is popular but often dangerous. Emergency services are often called to deal with those getting into trouble in the unpredictable currents. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

The board promoted a message for all users of Taupō waters – Kia tūpato, kia ora! (Be careful! Stay alive!)

he river’s dams can also be dangerous, authorities warn.

Taupō Police Sergeant Shane McNally said it was important people put safety first when swimming, fishing or boating on the river.

“We know that floating down the Waikato River has become a popular activity during summer. But we also know that many people are using cheap inflatable flotation devices and not even wearing a life jacket.”

McNally said the safety message was simple.

People doing the float should wear life jackets and be wary of unpredictable currents. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

“If you want to enjoy the river, be safe, wear a floatation device. Hanging on to an air bed or pool noodles while floating down the Waikato River is not going to keep you safe in the water.”

He also reminded those wishing to enjoy themselves that “the river and alcohol don’t mix” and not only because of potentially impaired judgment or a clouded sense of swimming ability.

“I see it all the time, the chilly bin full of alcohol sitting in an inner tube and they’re drinking booze and throwing bottles in the river. It’s pretty disrespectful. We’ve just had a magnificent Ironman weekend with international eyes on Taupō, so we need to live up to our clean and green image.”

The river was unforgiving, McNally said, and it was easy for people to overestimate their ability.

“Be prepared, check the website for the flow and if it’s flowing fast stay the hell out.”

In a 2022 message when lake and river levels were extremely high, the trust board reminded people that the Waikato River was a taonga (treasure), a tupuna (ancestor), with a lifeforce of its own.

Hipapatua is the last place to exit the river before the Huka Falls.

There were inherent warnings handed down when Tūwharetoa ancestors named the river, said the board, to be aware, be careful and be respectful.

The name Waikato has two root components; wai (water) and kato whose meanings include “surging”, “flowing”, “tides” and “current”. Potential translations include: The Surging Waters, The Surging Currents or The Flowing Waters.

The board also expressed dismay that year at the amount of rubbish being dumped, after a clean-up by a group of Royal New Zealand Navy divers in support of a river rubbish sweep by Ngā Kaihautū o Te Waikato Awa Committee, the Taupō Harbourmaster and Coastguard Lake Taupō.

Tyres, road signs, cones, inflatable boats, alcohol bottles, broken glass, chilly bins and pet poo bags were among the rubbish recovered from the river during the coordinated clean-up, which netted two or three trailer loads in a less than 100m trawl.

“While the half-day exercise was by no means a complete clean-up of the awa, there was enough rubbish to be of concern,” said the board.

The Huka Falls is one of the most visited attractions in all of New Zealand. Photo / Supplied

The committee representing each marae from Te Hikuwai o Tūwharetoa issued a message to all approaching the river: “Ko Waikato te awa, he awa tupuna, he ara wairua - Our awa represents life, healing and an enduring aspiration for the wellbeing of the awa and our people. The river has a mauri (life force) of its own. A mauri that must be protected and maintained, now and forever.”

Lake Taupō Harbourmaster Jamie Grant agreed it was important to respect rivers and understand the risks.

“Rivers can change quickly, the bank, riverbed and water flow might be different from how you remembered it last summer.

“Remember fresh water is not as buoyant as sea water. There are also snags just below the surface and overhanging trees that can puncture a blow-up flotation device.”

If people miss the exits at Ōtumuheke (Spa Park) or Hipapatua, there are only a few places to get off the river before they will be dealing with an increasingly swift current, rapids and rocks as the Waikato River narrows, culminating in the Huka Falls where approximately 200,000 litres of water a second churn through a narrow gorge.

“Make sure you have a plan,” said Grant. “Be aware of the signs that point to where to get out of the river.”

A joint statement also noted that the area’s other water attractions demanded respect.

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said the Aratiatia Rapids viewing point was a great place to take visitors during the summer holidays to see water being released from the dam.

“But it is an extremely dangerous place to swim, and sadly death and injuries have occurred here in the past.

“The water near dams has strong currents and suction effects. Water levels and flows can change quickly, and massive flows may be released at any time. We’re asking people, please do not swim below the Aratiatia Dam, stay out of the rapids and downstream areas.”

Waikato regional harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck said the hydro dam safety zones were the areas 200m above and below dam structures where all vessels were prohibited, as was swimming, jumping and diving.

Water Safety New Zealand statistics show that 287 drownings have been recorded in the Waikato region since 1980, the highest figure nationally.

That makes up 20 per cent of the 1398 people who have died while swimming in New Zealand’s rivers and inland waterways during the past 44 years.

There were 90 preventable drownings in New Zealand in 2023; 15 of those were recorded in the Waikato region and 13 were male and two were female.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Daniel Gerrard said more can be done to help people learn how to stay safe in rivers and lakes this summer.

“Many drownings happen in water that seems calm – people are often unaware of strong currents, submerged objects and sudden drop-offs. They often involve rescuers becoming the victim.

“No one needs to lose their life on the water this summer – be aware of hidden dangers and help each other to stay safe while having fun.”