Ngaruroro River

The upper half of the Ngaruroro catchment is predominantly in DOC estate forest park or plantation forestry. The remainder of the catchment is in low hill, pastoral farming with many vineyards in the mid to lower reaches. Some peri-urban/commercial development is also near the river on the lower reaches. The river environment has a cool, wet climate.

The river has good quality habitat for most of its length with riffles, pools and bends and a predominantly large cobble or cobble streambed.

A wide range of fish species is present in the Ngaruroro River, including many native fish which have high value as mahinga kai (traditional Māori food) and a world class trout fishery. Fish species include Cran’s bully, common bully, giant bully, koaro, inanga, dwarf galaxiid, smelt, shortfin eel, longfin eel, torrentfish, lamprey, koura, yellow eyed mullet, black flounder (patiki), rainbow trout and brown trout.

It is included in the TANK Plan  - standing for the Tutaekuri, Ahuriri, Ngaruroro and Karamu catchments on the wider Heretaunga Plains - which is well underway in looking at new policies for managing land and water.