The following glimpses of some of the famous Tongariro River pools were taken about six years ago but are still relevant. The last major flood which changed all the pools was 2004. See if you can identify any changes since then?

The video/slide shows are divided into (1) Upper river – above Red Hut Bridge to the winter limit, (2) Middle river down to the Hydro Pool, (3) Town pools and (4) Lower river pools that are still accessible from Grace Road.

The lower river continues to suffer the most changes from the Waikato Regional Council excavating a canal down the TLB (True Left Bank) and other works they claim are “flood protection” works. Anglers suggest they are more like “gravel extraction” quarries. It is extraordinary that they still smash through the spawning redds and destroy the most important brown trout nursery for Lake Taupo – i.e. see De Latours loop in (4) – in the most famous trout fishing river in NZ.

The most comprehensive Tongariro Bucket List map – with “Fifty Pools to Fish Before you Die” is only available at TRM reception.

(1) The upper river pools:

(2) The middle river pools:

(3) The town pools:

The lower river pools: