Nihotupu Falls - Waiatarua

So wuw

Great for walking and short sightseeing! Fresh air is definitely present!

A couple of decent swimming holes - expect the water to be chilly even in summer. Consider wearing an old pair of shoes with decent grip when in the water, some of the rocks underwater are very slippery (and you also need to climb down some rocks to get to the water).

This waterfall is easily accessible from the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir Track off the Piha Road. Park in the car park and walk 10 minutes through bush on an easy going track. Then follow the service road and you'll come to the falls at the top of the reservoir. Go now in 2020 and see the reservoir at an all time low, with the fall dropping an extra metre or so due to the drop in the reservoir. Follow the service road all the way to the dam. It is a downhill walk so be prepared for a harder walk back, but take your time and it is not too bad. The road affords great views of the reservoir and standing on the dam you can appreciate how much water it holds.

Nice walk. Nice waterfall. Nice dam. We have been here many times. Easy to walk with the kids. Friendly to prams.

The Waitakere Ranges Water Supply System taps into the resources of these ranges in West Auckland and its Huia, Nihotupu and Waitakere streams. A series of five large dams were constructed throughout the 20th century. These created the reservoirs, and associated tramways, piping, tunnels, filter stations, and other structures were also built in order to facilitate access to the water catchment and create a gravitational water supply into Auckland.A good water supply is essential to human existence. Early historical accounts show a marked improvement in health after a piped water supply was introduced to Auckland City from Western Springs in 1877. Financial stringency delayed the water from the Waitakere ranges being supplied to Auckland until 1902 when the first temporary supply was introduced. Severe water shortages and deterioration of the quality of Western Springs water forced Auckland City Council to act. From that time, progressive development of the water resources of the Waitakere Ranges continued to keep up with population growth, not only of Auckland, but also with demands from surrounding districts.Auckland is very fortunate to have two upland catchment areas, the Waitakere Ranges and the Hunua Ranges, where rainfall is higher than at lower levels and much of the water could gravitate to the City without pumping. The Waitakere water supply followed by supplies from the Hunua Ranges and more recently from the Waikato River has undoubtedly contributed enormously to the wealth and prosperity of the Auckland region. The system’s main structures are the dams which are still in use:Waitakere Dam (completed 1910)Upper Nihotupu Dam (completed 1923)Upper Huia Dam (completed 1929)Lower Nihotupu Dam (completed 1948)Lower Huia Dam (completed 1971)Concrete gravity dams characterise the first three, while the latter are earth dams. The Waitakere Dam was among the first large scale concrete dams in New Zealand, and the Lower Nihotupu Dam was the country’s first earth dam.