Hunua Falls ~ Water

safety
Teachers Guide
Introduction to Hunua Falls & Water Safety
The waterfall pool at the base of the Hunua Falls is considered unsafe for swimming. Swimming and
entering the water (diving, jumping and bombing) at the Hunua Falls involves a high amount of risk. This
document outlines these risks1.
The Hunua Ranges Regional Park
The Hunua Ranges forms a block of hills south east of Auckland covering some 250 square kilometres and
rising to 688 metres at Kohukohunui. They contain the 178km2 Hunua Ranges Regional Park which is
popular for family picnics and swimming in the swimming holes. There are several tracks that explore the
ranges and many of these cross small creeks draining into the Wairoa River. The Hunua Ranges is also
home to Auckland’s only mainland population of one of its rarest birds, the Kokako, and a refuge for the
native Hochstetter's frog (pepeke) and North Island Robin.
More than 14,000 hectares of native forest filters about 2300mm of rain annually into five dams which
supply around 65% of Auckland's water.
The Hunua Falls
These are located on the Wairoa River which winds its way north through the township of Clevedon,
before meeting the Hauraki Gulf. The spectacular 30 metre waterfall has formed as the river has eroded
a small volcanic cone. A sequence of basalt lava flows and scoria is exposed in the falls.
There are many risks at this site that have led to deaths including drowning through accidental
immersion or jumping from the top of the falls. The fall’s pool is approximately 60m across and is
formed behind a rock ridge that dams the discharge into a small stream.
Swimming is not advised in the falls’ pool due to the number of associated risks with the deep, cold,
fresh, aerated and murky water, slippery rocks and varying depths. Diving or jumping from the top of
the falls is not permitted. The area around the top is restricted and ‘no access’ signs are located on both
sides. It is important that all children and non-swimmers are supervised. Swimming is possible in the
Wairoa River below the falls.

1This teachers’ guide has been developed as part of the Hunua Falls Water Safety Project, in partnership between WaterSafe
Auckland Inc, Auckland Council and funded by Water Safety New Zealand “Partnership Funding Programme 2014 - 16”. This was
updated in October 2016.
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Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

Water Safety Risks
Deep Water
The pool at the bottom of the Hunua Falls drops away sharply from the edge in most places. The pool is
approximately 17 metres deep at its deepest point. There are steep drop offs at all three main access
points into the pool below the falls.

Cold Water
Water at the falls can be very cold, which can cause shock and rapid skin cooling. Cold water immersion
can initiate an immediate gasp response, the inability to breath-hold, and hyperventilation. The gasp
response may cause drowning if the head is submersed during the initial entry into cold water.
The water temperature at the falls is likely to range from 7.7°C to over 19°C. At times the water
temperature would drop below 15°C, the level at which cold-shock response can occur, and become a
causal factor of near-drowning and drowning.

Fresh Water
The falls are fresh water and it is harder to float and easier to sink in fresh water compared to salt water.
Salt water is denser than fresh water, and is able to exert a greater buoyant force than fresh water.
Wearing clothing, particularly loose clothing can greatly reduce buoyancy in fresh water.

Aerated Water
Water around the base of the waterfall is highly aerated due to natural agitation of the water. This
water contains more air bubbles, so it is less dense and therefore less buoyant. This means it is even
easier to sink and more difficult to float on top of this type of water.

Slippery Rocks
Slippery rocks are an issue below the water and above the water line. Rocks submerged under the water
are extremely slippery. Crossing the outflow of the falls is hazardous due to the slippery rocks. The rock
face either side of the waterfall is slippery due to the wash from the falls. Individuals should avoid
climbing these rocks.

Murky Water
Visibility in the water at the falls is very limited. The water in the pool is discoloured due to flowing
through volcanic basalt rock and a large farming plain above the falls. This makes it extremely difficult to
identify rocks beneath the surface and other moving or fixed submerged objects in the water, and
changes in water depth.

Water Levels and Flooding

Water levels at the falls can change dramatically during flooding. During flood the water in the fall’s pool
has risen up to six metres above its normal level of 38m above sea level. The current or water velocity
increases greatly with flooding as well.

Water Quality
It is expected that at times water quality at the pool may be poor as a result of natural and/or
anthropogenic causes; however, no water quality testing is currently undertaken at the falls. Poor water
quality can expose water users to biological hazards, and as such have a negative impact on human
health.

No lifeguard service
Those in your care should be actively supervised near the water at all times.
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Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

 Hunua Falls Hunua Falls after rain event

Hunua Falls in flood (1981)

Photograph by Forbes Neil,
courtesy of Auckland Libraries Footprints 00852

View https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzbTAVdgM3Q to see the area in flood

Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

Water Safety Code
We encourage visitors to familiarise themselves with the Water Safety Code prior to visiting the Hunua
Falls http://www.adventuresmart.org.nz/water-adventures/

Additional safety information advice is to always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, fresh water is less
buoyant than salt water.

Auckland Council has a number of signs and life buoys on site; however these can be stolen or damaged
by vandals. Please report any damaged signage or missing life buoys to 09 301 0101.

There is no active lifeguard service at Hunua Falls.

Prohibitions
No diving, jumping or bombing from the top of the falls.

Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

Statistics on drownings and deaths
A number of high risk user groups have been identified through the analysis of the drowning statistics
collected by Water Safety New Zealand (2016), Coroner’s reports, incidents statistics recorded by Hunua
Voluntary Rural Fire Force, and discussions with stakeholders during on-site risk assessments.
The recorded drowning deaths (n = 9) at Hunua Falls largely comprise young adults, in particular those
aged between 19 and 23 years old. The recorded drowning incidents (n = 9) have resulted following
accidental immersion (n = 2), swimming (n = 4), and jumping off Hunua Falls (n = 3).
Males (n = 9) represented all recorded incidents of victims drowning at Hunua Falls. There is some
anecdotal evidence of females also getting in to difficulty at the site. The drowning deaths at Hunua
Falls have involved victims of a range of ethnic backgrounds, including: New Zealand European (n = 2),
Pacific Island (n = 4), and Asian (n = 2). The ethnicity of one victim was unknown. The victims who
drowned at Hunua Falls (n = 9) all resided in the Auckland Region.
Date Age Activity Gender Ethnicity Residence
07-03-1987 19 Swimming Male Unknown Auckland
30-01-1994 19 Diving/Jumping Male Pacific peoples Auckland
06-02-1996 23 Diving/Jumping Male New Zealand European Auckland
26-12-1997 22 Diving/Jumping Male New Zealand European Auckland
21-02-1999 11 Accidental Male Asian Auckland
Immersion
26-11-2007 28 Swimming Male Pacific peoples Auckland
25-04-2013 20 Accidental Male Asian Auckland
Immersion
20-03-2016 17 Swimming Male Pacific peoples Auckland
28-03-2016 13 Swimming Male Pacific peoples Auckland
Drowning deaths recorded at Hunua Falls between 1980 and 2016 (Water Safety New Zealand, 2016).

A further 14 people have died as a result of jumping off the falls according to anecdotal and official data.
These deaths have usually been from impact, with drowning being the secondary cause and therefore
these are not included in the Water Safety NZ records. Consequently, the number of deaths at the falls
has been in the order of 23 over the past 35 years or so.
A number of rescues of persons in difficulty have also occurred at the falls, carried out by members of
the public, but these have not been officially recorded.

Bathymetric information
Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of lake or ocean floors. In other words, bathymetry is the
underwater equivalent to topography. The name comes from Greek βαθύς (bathus), "deep", and μέτρον
(metron), "measure".
Bathymetric (or hydrographic) charts are typically produced to support safety of surface or sub-surface
navigation, and usually show relief or terrain as contour lines (called depth contours or isobaths) and
selected depths (soundings), and typically also provide surface navigational information.
Bathymetric maps (a more general term where navigational safety is not a concern) may also use a
Digital Terrain Model and artificial illumination techniques to illustrate the depths being portrayed.
Auckland Council undertook a bathymetric survey in early February 2015 to understand the bathymetry
of the pool below the falls.

Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

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Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety

For more information:
Auckland Council
http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hunuafalls
http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hunuaranges

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ)

Formed in 1949, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is the umbrella organisation for the water safety
sector. WSNZ work to reduce the high number of Kiwis who lose their lives in the water each year.
http://www.watersafety.org.nz/

Adventure Smart
Enjoying New Zealand’s waterways is an essential part of the Kiwi lifestyle. With beautiful lakes, serene
rivers and picturesque beaches, it’s no surprise why. Get essential information and helpful links here:
http://www.adventuresmart.org.nz/water-adventures/
http://www.watersafety.org.nz/resources-and-safety-tips/safety-info-tips/

Water Safe Auckland Inc

WaterSafe Auckland Inc. (WAI) is the acknowledged lead agency for regional water safety coordination
and education in the Auckland region. Their Vision is a water safe Auckland free from drowning. Their
Mission is to prevent drowning through education.
As one of the service delivery amenities under the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008, WAI is
mandated by the ratepayers of Auckland to deliver the best possible water safety education to meet the
water safety needs of those living in and visiting the region, needs that are unique – geographically,
demographically and statistically.
Their approach is to focus on three channels of engagement across Community, Education and
Workplace to help reduce drowning and develop water competence across Auckland. This is achieved
through professional development for educators, programme delivery with community groups and the
workplace, and awareness-raising at events – all underpinned by research and evaluation.
http://www.watersafe.org.nz/

Auckland Council | Hunua Falls Water Safety