Last updated October 2026
The Pohangina River at Piripiri is a rural river swimming spot beside the Piripiri Bridge on Pohangina Valley East Road, high in the Pohangina Valley about 44 kilometres north-east of central Palmerston North. LAWA calls it a “quintessential kiwi swim spot” and suggests bringing a ball and a picnic, but there are no toilets, bins or other amenities here.
Horizons Regional Council tests the water weekly from November to April, and the site holds a Fair long-term grade on LAWA, which means it is usually fine but should be avoided after rain.
Toxic algae is the bigger concern at Piripiri: it reached the action level, where people and dogs should stay out of the water, in 27 of 122 checks. Check LAWA for algae alerts every time before you swim.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Apr by Horizons Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Pohangina River at Piripiri
Sunday 25 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine E. coli results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (303 per 100 mL from 119 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Beside the Piripiri Bridge, Pohangina Valley East Road, upper Pohangina Valley
- Distance from Palmerston North
- About 44 km north-east of the city centre in a straight line; the drive via Ashhurst is longer
- Water
- Freshwater river, no tides
- Water quality
- Fair (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Toxic algae
- Action level (stay out) in 27 of 122 checks, 2019/20 to 2024/25
- Testing
- Weekly from November to April by Horizons Regional Council
- Facilities nearby
- None: LAWA notes no amenities at the site
- Camping
- DOC lists its Piripiri Campsite beside the bridge as closed
About the Pohangina River at Piripiri
The Pohangina River rises in the Ruahine Range and runs south through the Pohangina Valley to meet the Manawatū River at Ashhurst.
Piripiri sits well up the valley, where Pohangina Valley East Road crosses the river on the Piripiri Bridge. The swimming spot is the stretch of river beside the bridge, next to the site DOC lists as its basic Piripiri Campsite.
The setting is farmland and bush at the foot of the Ruahine Range. DOC describes the wider Pohangina Valley as a place to “camp on the Pohangina River or explore the picturesque Pohangina Valley on several walks”, and the road to Piripiri passes Tōtara Reserve Regional Park and the turn-off to Takapari Road on the way up the valley.
Ruahine Forest Park, which DOC says stretches almost 100 kilometres from the Taruarau River in the north to the Manawatū Gorge in the south, forms the skyline to the east.
LAWA describes the site as being at the Piripiri campsite, where freedom camping is allowed. DOC’s own page for the Piripiri Campsite, which sits on the left just before the bridge, currently says the campsite is closed, so check DOC before planning to stay overnight.
Even as a day trip, come prepared: there are no toilets, drinking water, bins or shelter, so bring what you need and take all rubbish home.
On a settled summer day this is the kind of spot LAWA has in mind when it suggests a ball, a picnic and a day out in the scenic surroundings. It is further up the valley than the reserves at Raumai and Tōtara Reserve, and the river here is fed from the Ruahine Range, so it changes with the weather in the hills.
Swimming and Water Quality at Piripiri
Horizons Regional Council samples the Pohangina River at Piripiri once a week through its summer swim spot programme, which runs from November to April at more than 80 sites across the region.
Samples go to an independent laboratory and the results are published on LAWA. The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 119 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Across 140 tests between November 2019 and April 2025, 94% were suitable for swimming, six called for caution and two were unsuitable. A Fair grade means the water is usually fine for swimming but can be affected after rain, so it is a long-term record, not a guarantee for any given day.
Horizons does not close swim spots because of test results: it says the decision to swim always remains with individuals. Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
Horizons goes further and asks people to stay out if it has rained heavily within the last 72 hours, because heavy rain brings faster flows and can raise faecal contamination.
Toxic algae at Piripiri
Toxic algae (cyanobacteria) is the main reason to check before every visit. Between 2019/20 and 2024/25 the river at Piripiri was checked for cyanobacteria 122 times.
Five checks were at alert level and 27 were at action level, the point at which people and animals should stay out of the water. That is more than one check in five at action level.
In rivers, Horizons says toxic algae shows up as black mats on rocks. Horizons lists gastroenteritis, respiratory illness and ear and skin infections among the health effects.
Dogs are at particular risk: Horizons warns that swallowing cyanobacteria can seriously harm them, and dogs are often attracted to algae mats on rocks and along the river edge. Keep dogs on a lead near the water if you see dark mats on the rocks, and check LAWA for algae alerts before you leave home.
River safety
Horizons reminds swimmers that rivers can be powerful, unpredictable and can change, and recommends following its Swim Smart Checklist, which includes checking for hazards and staying away from pipes, culverts and birds. Look at the depth, flow and riverbed before you get in, and do not jump in without checking for rocks and logs.
The river rises after rain in the Ruahine Range, so be ready to get out if it starts to colour or speed up. There are no lifeguards at river swim spots, so keep a close eye on children.
Getting There
DOC’s directions to Piripiri start at Ashhurst: turn off State Highway 3 at Ashhurst and drive north on Pohangina Road. At Raumai, turn right to cross the Pohangina River bridge and follow Pohangina Valley East Road past Tōtara Reserve and Takapari Road until you reach the Piripiri Bridge.
The old campsite is on the left just before the bridge, down a short, steep access track that DOC warns may be slippery when wet.
Pohangina Valley East Road is a rural road and has been closed by slips in the past, including after Cyclone Hale in January 2023. Check Manawatū District Council’s road updates after storms before you set off.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Horizons Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, toxic algae alerts and the long-term grade for the Pohangina River at Piripiri.
Horizons Regional Council: how the summer swim spot programme works, with advice on rain, toxic algae and river safety.
Department of Conservation: directions to the Piripiri Bridge and the current status of the Piripiri Campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in the Pohangina River at Piripiri?
Yes. LAWA describes Piripiri as a classic Kiwi swim spot and Horizons Regional Council tests it weekly over summer. Check LAWA for the latest result and any toxic algae alert before you swim, and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at Piripiri?
The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 140 tests between November 2019 and April 2025, 94% were suitable for swimming. A Fair grade means it is usually fine but best avoided after rain.
Is there toxic algae in the Pohangina River at Piripiri?
Yes, at times. Toxic algae reached the action level, where people and dogs should stay out of the water, in 27 of 122 checks from 2019/20 to 2024/25. In rivers it looks like black mats on rocks. Check LAWA for alerts before every visit.
Is the river at Piripiri a risk for dogs?
It can be. Horizons warns that swallowing cyanobacteria can seriously harm dogs. Keep dogs away from dark mats and out of the water when LAWA shows an algae alert.
Are there toilets at Piripiri?
No. LAWA notes that no amenities are available at the site, so bring water and food and take your rubbish home.
Can you camp at Piripiri?
LAWA describes the site as a freedom camping area, but DOC currently lists its Piripiri Campsite beside the bridge as closed. Check DOC before planning an overnight stay.
When is the water at Piripiri tested?
Horizons Regional Council samples the site weekly from November to April, and the results are published on LAWA.
How do you get to Piripiri from Palmerston North?
Drive to Ashhurst, head north on Pohangina Road, cross the Pohangina River at Raumai and follow Pohangina Valley East Road past Tōtara Reserve and Takapari Road to the Piripiri Bridge.
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