Last updated October 2026
The Maraetotara River is a small, spring-fed river that rises on the Maraetotara Plateau and runs about 43 km to the sea at Te Awanga, 12 km from Hastings. It holds brown and rainbow trout, mostly in the lower reaches, and often stays clear when other Hawke’s Bay rivers are dirty. It is true fly water, open all year to fly and spinner only.
Most of the best water crosses private farmland, so plan around the few public points or ask a landowner before you fish.
At a Glance
- Location
- Maraetotara Plateau to the sea at Te Awanga, south-east of Hastings
- Type
- Small spring-fed river through farmland
- Water
- Freshwater river (Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay)
- Main species
- Brown and rainbow trout
- Season
- Open all year
- Methods
- Fly and spinner only; no bait
- Public access
- Maraetotara Falls car park, Waimārama Road bridge, Te Awanga mouth
- Private land
- Most of the middle and lower river: ask the landowner
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required
- Flow
- HBRC: Maraetotara River at Waimarama Road
No tides. A spring-fed stream that often stays clear after rain; low summer flows make the trout wary.
What You'll Find Here
The river starts at a spring on the plateau near Mt Kahuranaki and flows north-west through pastoral farmland to Te Awanga, where it feeds Maraetotara Lagoon. Below the Waimārama Road bridge it slows down through open farmland with good cover along the banks. The catchment is about 150 square kilometres.
At Maraetotara Falls the river runs in a bush-lined gully beside Maraetotara Road, with farmland on the slopes above. The falls are a busy swimming spot in summer, and a heritage power station stands at the bottom of the reserve.
The Maraetotara Tree Trust has been fencing out stock and planting the banks since 2002, about 10,000 plants a year, and the river sits inside the Cape to City restoration area. LAWA lists it as an eel and trout fishery. Some water quality measures are still a problem, and the trust is sampling to find out why.
How to Fish the Maraetotara River
Where and when
The lower reaches hold the most trout; the overgrown upper river has far fewer and allows only short casts. The fish get wary, especially late in the season, so approach slowly and keep low.
Because the river is spring-fed it often stays fishable when bigger rivers are high and coloured, which makes it a good backup after rain. Skip the falls pool on hot summer days when swimmers are in.
What to catch and what to use
- Brown and rainbow trout: a light 4 to 5 weight line with a long tippet suits the clear water.
- Nymphs: small Pheasant Tail and Hare’s Ear, sizes 14 to 18.
- Dry flies: Parachute Adams by day, Kakahi Queen or Twilight Beauty at dusk, and cicada patterns in late summer.
- Wet flies and spinners: small spiders or an Invicta, or the smallest bladed spinners.
- At the mouth: a Toby or wobbler for the occasional sea-run trout.
Getting There and Facilities
- Maraetotara Falls: a Hastings District Council reserve on Maraetotara Road, with a car park and toilets. Wooden stairs and the Maraetotara Historic Walk lead about 10 minutes to the base of the falls. The car park overflows on hot days. See our Maraetotara Falls guide for the walk and swimming.
- Waimārama Road bridge: the Havelock North to Waimārama road crosses the middle river, where HBRC has its flow gauge.
- Te Awanga: the river reaches the coast at the Maraetotara Lagoon. For sea fishing off the beach here, see our Haumoana and Te Awanga guide.
- Private land: most of the productive middle and lower river is on farms. Ask at the house before crossing a paddock, and leave gates as you find them.
Rules and Safety
- Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay rules apply and you need a licence. The regulations list it as Maraetotara Stream: open all year, fly and spinner only.
- A maximum length rule and a reduced bag apply on this stream. Check the regulations before you keep a fish.
- The lagoon and mouth count as freshwater for trout, so a licence is needed there too.
- Jumping from the top of the falls is dangerous and not recommended.
- In summer, treat any algae mats as toxic and check LAWA for swim and algae warnings at the falls and lagoon.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Crafty’s Rods & Guns, 108 Maraekakaho Road, Hastings. Tackle and licences.
- Hunting & Fishing Napier, Taradale Road, Napier.
- Licences are also sold online through Fish & Game.
From locals
How long is the walk from the Maraetotara Falls car park to the falls?
Can you take a dog fishing along the Maraetotara, or is it all stock paddocks?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
Like Hastings’s outdoors?
Explore Hastings Weekly has a walk or park idea every week, plus local news and weekend picks. Free every Thursday.
Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe any time.
Maraetotara River: Common Questions
Is the Maraetotara River open all year?
Yes. It is open all year to fly and spinner fishing under the Hawke’s Bay regulations.
Can I use bait?
No. Fly and spinner only.
What fish are in the Maraetotara River?
Brown and rainbow trout, mostly in the lower reaches.
Where can I get onto the river?
Maraetotara Falls reserve on Maraetotara Road, the Waimārama Road bridge and the mouth at Te Awanga. Most other water is private farmland.
Is it good after rain?
Often. The river is spring-fed and usually stays clear when bigger rivers are high and dirty.
Can I fish at Maraetotara Falls?
Yes, but the pool is busy with swimmers in summer, so go early or late.
Do I need a licence at the mouth?
Yes, for trout. The mouth and lagoon count as freshwater under Fish & Game rules.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Hawke’s Bay sports fishing regulations: season, methods and the Maraetotara length rule.
- LAWA: Maraetotara River at Maraetotara Falls: water quality and swim warnings.
- HBRC river levels: live flow at the Waimārama Road gauge.