Take a trip to Haruru Falls, Paihia

Last updated on 25 March 2024

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Welcome to Haruru Falls, Paihia

Don’t go chasing waterfalls. Unless they’re Haruru Falls, Paihia. You can chase those ones.

Much like stumbling across farmers’ markets and chocolate factories, waterfalls are easy enough to accidentally discover here in New Zealand. While we did see the Haruru Falls on the map, it was a quick little ‘let’s pop down this road and see if we can find the falls’ sort of trip as we headed away from Northland near the end of our trip up there.

We weren’t quite sure what to expect – perhaps a little trickle or water, or a raging torrent; we had zero idea – but what we did find was a beautiful spot to spend a little time at.

In Te Reo Māori, ‘haruru’ means “big noise,” which totally fits because when it rains, this place gets loud with all the water gushing everywhere. Picture a roaring torrent of water tumbling over the horseshoe-shaped falls. You’ll hear the noise way before you see it. And according to Māori legend, there’s even a taniwha chilling in the lagoon under the falls, which you can see (the lagoon, not the taniwha) from the top looking down.

Haruru Falls is also right by the Waitangi River, so you can take a stroll along the Haruru Falls walking track and follow the river’s flow toward the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and out into the bay. You can learn more about Haruru Falls and the walking track here.

Haruru Falls Paihia are just a few kilometres off the main road north, just outside Paihia. They’re small for NZ waterfalls, but they’re great to check out. We didn’t spend long there, but it was well worth the little detour that we took in our day.

There are flats of rocks that go right out over to the falls, and while that might be a tad scary for some, all I wanted to do was clamber over the rocks. TLC’s ‘Don’t go chasing waterfalls‘ has never been more accurate. Do be careful if you’re wandering out on the rocks though! Safety first.

If you’re in the area and you need somewhere to stop for lunch, or a driving break, then it’s a really lovely spot.

Have you been to Haruru Falls Paihia before? What did you think?