Moerangi River

The Moerangi River or Moerangi Stream is found in New Zealand's Whirinaki Forest Park. It is a fairly small river but is one of the main tributaries of the Waiau River, Hawke's Bay. The river is used by trampers (hikers), fisherman and hunters.

Getting to the Moerangi River requires a few hours of walking or a trip in a helicopter. If walking there are two main ways of getting there. The track from Okahu Rd through to Rogers Hut (6 Bunks) is fairly easy going and takes approximately 3 hours. Alternatively you can come from the Whirinaki Car Park at the end of River Rd to Moerangi hut (9 Bunks), this walk takes around 4 hours and is a little more difficult than the Okahu Rd Option.

There is a tramping track that follows the river for most of its length. The track takes you from Rogers hut at the downstream end of the river up to Moerangi Hut in the upper part of the river. It is not possible to use this track when the river is in flood because you constantly need to cross the river as you go, in some places you actually walk in the river for considerable distances.

The river has a good population of rainbow trout ^[1]. It is an important spawning tributary for the Waiau River. Trout in this river typically fall into the 3-6 pound bracket. There is good fishing all the way from Rogers up to Moerangi Hut. Past Moerangi hut the river starts to get a bit small but is well worth a look in Autumn when the fish move into the headwaters to spawn.

The river and track that follows it provide good access to some fairly remote hunting grounds. Red Deer are the most common game found in the area but there are also a few wild pigs ^[2].

References

1. ^ "Moerangi River Trout Fishing". http://outdoorsnewzealand.co.nz/Moerangi-River-Trout-Fishing.php. 
2. ^ "Whirinaki Forest Part Activities". http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/ActivitiesSummary.aspx?id=34556.