Last updated October 2026
Waitahanui is a small village on the eastern shore of Lake Taupō, approximately 14 kilometres south of Taupō town. It sits where the Waitahanui River meets the lake, creating a renowned trout fishing location known locally as the rip.
The village is a long-established Māori settlement and the home area of Ngāti Tūtemohuta, one of the hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. It retains a strong connection to the lake and river that define it, with a quiet, rural character suited to fishing and relaxation.
Official Locality Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 420, down 4% since 2018
- Land area
- 10.92 km²
- Location
- 10.1 km south of central Taupō
- Council
- Taupo District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Iwitahi, Hatepe, Maunganamu, Wharewaka
- Ward or local board
- Taupō General Ward (Taupō District Council)
- Getting there
- State Highway 1 along the lakefront, 14 km south of Taupō
- Schools
- Te Kura o Waitahanui
- Nearby landmarks
- Waitahanui River rip, Waitahanui (Pākira) marae, Lake Taupō eastern shore
Who Lives in Waitahanui
About 420 residents in 140 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Waitahanui
Waitahanui is a quiet settlement of holiday homes, baches, and a small permanent community. State Highway 1 runs through it along the lakefront, providing direct lake access along the eastern shore. The Waitahanui River flows through the settlement before entering the lake.
The village has Waitahanui (Pākira) marae, reflecting the area’s significance to local iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The eastern lakeshore here is less developed than the Taupō CBD waterfront, offering a quieter, more rural character.
The marae opened a new ancestral house and dining hall in 2017, coinciding with its 100th anniversary. Ngāti Tūtemohuta has longstanding connections to the area, including gathering food from the lake and river for generations.
The Waitahanui Rip and Trout Fishing
The rip at the Waitahanui River mouth is famous in New Zealand fly fishing circles. Where the river current meets the still water of Lake Taupō, trout congregate, particularly rainbow trout during winter spawning runs. Anglers often stand in a line in the water, casting into the lake from the river mouth, a sight known as the picket fence.
The Waitahanui River is one of the closest fishing rivers to the Taupō CBD. It is a small spring-fed river with a gravel, sand and small rock bed, offering relatively stable flow and clear water. The Department of Conservation provides guidance on access, seasons and regulations for the Taupō trout fishery, including this river.
Near Waitahanui
Just outside Waitahanui, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation – Waitahanui River: details on fishing access, techniques and regulations for the Taupō trout fishery.
Wikipedia – Waitahanui: village profile, location details and statistical information citing census data.
Māori Maps – Waitahanui (Pākira) Marae: information on the marae, its hapū and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Waitahanui?
On the eastern shore of Lake Taupō, 14 km south of Taupō town along State Highway 1.
What is Waitahanui known for?
Trout fishing at the Waitahanui River rip, where the river meets the lake and anglers line up in the water to cast. It is one of New Zealand’s iconic fly fishing spots.
Is Waitahanui a Māori settlement?
Yes. It is a long-established settlement of Ngāti Tūtemohuta hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, with Waitahanui (Pākira) marae in the village.
Can you swim at Waitahanui?
The eastern lakeshore provides lake access for swimming and other recreation, though the area is primarily known for fishing.
When was the marae updated?
The marae opened a new ancestral house and dining hall in 2017, marking its 100th anniversary.
Is there a school in Waitahanui?
Yes. Te Kura o Waitahanui is in the village.
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Explore Taupō only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Waitahanui is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.