Waiwhetū

Nothing, absolutely nothing. The whitebaiter sat on a drainpipe, the dull grey concrete in contrast with the surrounding spring green grass. He must have been an optimistic chap as the drainpipe in question was located about 3.5km up the Waiwhetū Stream.

The Waiwhetū winds through the Eastern suburbs of Lower Hutt - Naenae, Epuni, Waterloo, Waiwhetū, Gracefield. It empties into the Hutt River just before Te Awa Kairangi greets Te Whanganui A Tara. While the catchment is small, the tidal nature of the lower stream allows almost 4km of paddleable waterway. The key factor to a successful trip is ensuring the paddling coincides with high tide.

The Waiwhetū experience begins on the wide tidal reaches of the Hutt, where wind often drives fledgling waves up or down the river. Slipping under an unlikely looking low bridge on the true left gives access to the Waiwhetū itself. Here the Waiwhetū is penned with uniform concrete walls topped by steel fences. The stream is soon released from the pen and gives way to a long section of pleasant paddling to the Wainui road bridge. Grassy banks, flax groves and industrial complexes line the sides of the stream and provide a novel setting. Upstream of Wainui road the stream narrows considerably, some willows emerge and the grassy banks steepen. The water becomes steadily shallower and blades brush the sides. Bends in the stream come more frequently. Onlookers express surprise at seeing kayaks this far upstream. The Whites Line E bridge swings into view and it is clear that the journey upstream has closed. A weir prevents further passage and it is time to carefully turn around! All that remains is the 4km cruise back to the Hutt.

Why paddle the Waiwhetu? The water is dead flat and of relatively poor quality. The views primarily consist of the backside of industrial sites. But there is charm in following the sinuous path from the sea through the industry to suburbia. It seems like kayaks shouldn't be there, penned as they are to water of sufficient size. There is also potential for excitement as aggressive swans will happily attack boats and paddlers to protect their young. Kayaks penned in water, the water guarded by pens and penned in by industry. The Waiwhetū - esoteric water of the pen.