Poronui Fly Fishing

There are three accommodation options at Poronui:

The Lodge:

Consisting of seven individual cabins positioned on the banks of the Taharua River. The cabins are set around a central common dining area.

• Max occupancy 2 per cabin
• Super king bed can be split into two king singles

Blake House Private Villa:

Set on a promontory overlooking the Taharua River and wetlands.

• Max occupancy 16; Taken exclusive use.
• Perfect for groups and extended families
• Four master bedrooms, each with own ensuite
• Two super-plush bunkrooms
• Two reception rooms
• Fully serviced, with private chef and staff
• Tranquil setting in the remote wilderness

Safari Camp:

At the back boundary of Poronui, on the banks of the Mohaka River and just beneath the confluence with the Taharua River.

• Two cabins; taken exclusive use
• Totally unplugged, but with modern conveniences and hot and cold running water
• It comes with provisions from the Poronui kitchen, for guests to self-cater at their leisure. Options to add a private chef, if desired.
• An incredible hideaway from the stresses of the modern world

From the moment guests check in, they will experience the finest hospitality from our team and experienced guides. It’s a privilege to say that, after a visit to Poronui, our guests consider our staff and guides to also be friends.

Check in: from 2 PM

Check out: 10 AM

Sumptuous breakfast options are served each morning, catering to any dietary needs or desires guests have, before they head out with their guide for a day of fishing–by air or road. Helicopters arrive to pick up guests from 9 AM onward, whisking them away to incredibly remote and beautiful rivers and streams. All gear is supplied: waders, boots, rods, flies.

A bespoke packed lunch is provided for each guest to enjoy on the river. Throughout the day you’ll be casting your fly or nymph into the spring-fed waters, trying to snare a fat and iridescent rainbow or a stealthy brown, waiting another moment longer for it to turn with the fly in its mouth. It’s just your skill and the river at play–with excellent tuition from your experienced and knowledgeable guide who’s by your side every step of the way.

Arrive back at the Lodge late afternoon; guests often walk through the front door with waders still on and share the day’s experiences with other keen anglers before dinner.

Dinner is typically served around 7 PM and is served family style in the main Lodge. Created by our team of chefs with the freshest seasonal ingredients and accompanied by a selection of beautiful wines (all included in the tariff). A wine list is also available should guests prefer to purchase different wines.

Additional activities on property include trophy hunting (red stags, sika, fallow, rusa, Arapawa rams, goats), walk-up and driven pheasants (season May-August), hiking, mountain biking, gym, sauna, steam room, clay bird, horse riding, and more.

The central North Island–dominated by the dramatic Lake Taupō–has some of the most stunning brown and rainbow trout fly-fishing rivers in the world secreted among back country valleys and best accessed by 4WD and helicopter. Rich with pristine vegetation and clear pools far from the crowds, the forests in this area have long been a favorite for those ‘in the know.’

We practice catch-and-release for all our fishing, as backcountry trout are special fish that live in unique and challenging conditions and are too important to only be caught once in their lifetime. Poronui is 16,000 acres, with two rivers running through it. Approximately 5,000-acres are covenant-protected to protect old-growth native beech forest. All streams and rivers on the property are fenced, creating extensive areas of riparian vegetation, which protects water quality and provides habitat.

We work closely with the Council and Department of Conservation to protect valued habitats on the property such as extensive fern wetlands and threatened species such as fernbird, spotless crake, small, scaled skink, and Pittosporum turneri. In addition to the luxury tourism offered on the property, Poronui is a working farm producing a range of premium products for the domestic and international markets. It is ideally suited for pheasants, with dense vegetation and volcanic terraces across the property. Poronui is working towards carbon zero accreditation.

You can find all pricing and rate information at https://www.poronui.com/packages/rates/

What should I bring?

• A good windproof, waterproof shell layer
• Clothing that can be layered up or taken off to suit the fluctuating temperatures
• Footwear with good ankle support, a firm sole and a good grip (note: felt soles are not permitted in New Zealand)
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen and insect repellent

Do I need a fishing license?

At Poronui, we organize licenses for our guests to ensure they get the correct type for the rivers they’ll be fishing. Different regions have different licensing requirements.

Do I need a visa to travel to NZ? Do I need a covid vaccine?

Visit immigration.govt.nz/nzeta to find out if you need the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) Approval can take up to 72 hours. Covid vaccinations are not a requirement to enter New Zealand.

How do I get to the Lodge?

There are direct flights with Air NZ to Auckland from LA, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Houston, with more options coming online, now that New Zealand is fully opened post-Covid. Delta airlines are connecting to Auckland from Dallas. From Auckland, it is a short 40-min flight to Taupo regional airport, which lines up well with most of the international arrivals. Or a four-hour car journey. Helicopter transfers from Auckland airport can also be arranged.

What is the dress code?

We celebrate relaxed informality at Poronui. Comfortable sporting clothes are widely worn for the wide range of outdoor pursuits on offer. Smart casual clothes are appropriate for dinner. A windproof layer, jacket, and a variety of light layers are always recommended, irrespective of the time of year, as it's often said we can experience four seasons in one day.

What happens if I book and can't travel for any reason? Can I defer?

It can often be difficult to replace a booking at short notice and we recommend all guests take out travel insurance to protect themselves from unforeseen circumstances before or during their travel. Poronui's reservations policy sets out details if a cancellation or postponement is necessary. Poronui is happy to provide any details required for making a claim.