Paddling near Stratford, Taranaki

Stratford sits inland on the slopes of Maunga Taranaki in the Taranaki region, with the Pātea River running through town. The Pātea is the only navigable river in South Taranaki and the most accessible paddle from Stratford itself, while the Waitara River draws those after grade 2 whitewater through native bush and farmland. Lake Rotorangi — the longest man-made lake in New Zealand at 46 km — sits on the Pātea River downstream and is a draw for flatwater paddlers.