The Pohangina River flows through the Manawatu region near Palmerston North on New Zealand's North Island, offering several distinct sections suitable for paddlers of varying skill levels. The river divides broadly into lower and upper reaches, each with a markedly different character.

The lower and middle sections run at Grade 2 and are accessible to intermediate paddlers. The primary hazards on these sections are logs and willow trees, which require attentiveness throughout. Several access points serve these reaches. The Piripiri bridge provides river access via small tracks at either end, and a campground sits immediately downstream on the true left bank. Churchill Drive, reached via Pohangina Valley East Road approximately 13 kilometres from Raumai, offers another bridge access point along with a campground and picnic area. These facilities make multi-day trips a practical option on the lower river.

The upper Pohangina is a substantially more serious undertaking, rated Grade 4 with boulder gardens and several Grade 4+ to 5 drops. One short gorge section is noted as unportageable, which is a critical consideration for trip planning. Reaching the upper river requires a walk-in of approximately one and a half hours, and the section is recommended only for advanced kayakers. When the river is in flood, even the lower sections can rise to Grade 4 conditions, at which point only advanced paddlers should be on the water, as rescue of an overturned kayak becomes extremely difficult in high flows.

Current flow information is available through the Horizons Water Line at 0508 435-663, which is worth consulting before any trip. The river sees recreational use beyond paddling, including swimming in summer, particularly at certain pools on the lower reaches.