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Poronui Ranch

North Island
1 Hour from Taupo, New Zealand


Poronui Ranch is located on the North Island of New Zealand, only a forty-five minute drive from the city of Taupo. We have sent several of our clients to Poronui since we made our first exploratory trip to the lodge back in 2000. The reason for our initial trip was to check out the remarkable face lift and updated fishing program. What was previously a small and simple fishing camp and sheep ranch is now known as one of the premier fly fishing lodges in the country.

The north island of New Zealand does not get as much press as the south island, however the lavish accommodation and enormous angling venue available at Poronui Ranch makes it one of our favorites. Well known for their twenty-five miles of the Taharua and Mohaka Rivers and a private concession on Maori land in the area, the ground and heli based fishing options from Poronui Ranch are staggering. Guests can also opt for a traditional float trip during their stay, a rarity in New Zealand. The scenery is breathtaking, and the user friendly style of fishing for both brown trout and rainbows is refreshing compared to the much more technical fishing on the south island.

The upscale accommodations at Poronui Ranch are what attract couples and non-angling companions as well as clients who simply prefer to enjoy the amenities of a true five star hotel. The lodge has a fully outfitted workout facility, sauna and steam room, spa and massage specialists on staff, the largest wine cellar in New Zealand, amazing cuisine, trap shooting range, and over one hundred miles of mountain biking trails. Poronui also operates an overnight “Safari Camp” with sophisticated camping accommodations for guests looking for the most intensive wilderness experience.


The Poronui property has almost twenty-five miles of its own private water on the Taharua Spring Creek and Mohaka River. In the mountains adjacent to Poronui are vast estates of privately owned native Maori land. Poronui Ranch is privileged to have the access and concession to much of this resource. Without doubt the exclusivity and remoteness of these rivers and streams makes them some of the most prized fly fishing waters on the North Island. Float trips with rafting guides and fly-outs with helicopters based right at the ranch are also available and much a part of the complete Poronui experience.

When not fishing the local waters via ground transportation, guests at Poronui have the ability to fly out each day to over twenty five of the most remote, least pressured, and phenomenal trout fisheries on the island. Poronui Ranch has a team of permanent full-time guides who are considered the consummate professionals in their field. They share an extraordinary knowledge of the country, and collectively have more than a hundred years fishing experience on Poronui’s waters. Poronui’s guides know every stream intimately, and ensure angling pressure is constantly monitored and controlled to maintain the health and confidence of the trout. In order to accomplish maintaining the resource with healthy and happy fish, Poronui Ranch has instated a very strict beat system. Typically, the local waters are rested a minimum of six days between fishing days, and the fly-out fisheries are typically rested roughly twelve days between trips. This program guarantees that all trout are hungry and eager when you arrive. Experienced anglers will find the challenges of fishing at Poronui Ranch very rewarding. Beginners have the opportunity to learn from the best guides in a truly inspiring environment.


Poronui Ranch is certainly one of the most upscale fishing lodges in New Zealand, if not the world. Guests stay in their own private cabin with private bathroom, queen and king sized beds, internet access, and television. Guests take meals inside the immaculate and gorgeous main lodge building located a short walk from the guest cabins. The lodge kitchen is renowned for its outstanding game food and local fare. You will also discover that the special streamside lunches are the best picnic you have ever had.

Poronui is close to New Zealand’s largest grape growing region and the lodge boasts one of the country’s finest underground cellars featuring an extensive collection of award winning wines. Poronui stores a staggering 10,000 bottles covering most recognized vintages and regular tastings are a highlight of any visit.

At Poronui Ranch you can make your stay as challenging or as relaxing as you like. What was once a high country sheep and cattle estate has now developed into a world-class recreational retreat and discerning travelers can expect to find facilities to match. Poronui's health spa includes a fitness gym, steam and sauna rooms, and massage facilities all offering guests an environment in which to exert and be pampered. (See Non-Angling Activities)


Guests of Poronui Ranch take an overnight flight from the U.S. to Auckland, New Zealand. Travelers lose a day crossing the international dateline en route and connect on to Taupo, New Zealand the morning of arrival. From Taupo, guests are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle forty-five minutes to the lodge by a member of the Poronui Ranch staff. Inversely, guests follow the same route on the way home, only to regain the lost day after re-crossing the dateline and arrive back into the U.S. on the same day.


Day 1:
Depart United States for Auckland - usually via Air New Zealand

Day 2:
Arrive Auckland (Lose a day crossing the international dateline). Depart Auckland with Air New Zealand for Taupo. Upon arrival in Taupo, guests are be met by a representative from Poronui Ranch and driven forty-five minutes to the lodge. Overnight and begin fishing the following day.

Day 3 - ?:
Fishing Days!

Departure Day:
After a leisurely morning at the lodge, and perhaps some sightseeing, guests are transferred back to Taupo airport for the flight back to Auckland. Guests can also spend the morning touring one of the regions beautiful wineries. Travelers make a simple connection Auckland for the overnight flight back to the U.S.A. (Travelers will gain a day re-crossing the International Dateline).


Trout fishing in New Zealand is generally has a season of October 1st through April 31st. A small number of streams available to fish do not open until November 1st, however there is still some excellent fishing to be had during October.

Good fishing can be had throughout the season, so there is really no “best” time to visit New Zealand. October until December can be unsettled spring weather, however New Zealand’s oceanic climate can have weather of all seasons any time of the year. Spring fishing in October or November can oftentimes be the best of the season if you receive a warm spell, especially as most trout have not seen an angler in over six months of closed season. Early January is when the majority of New Zealanders go on summer holiday, so many tourist areas are crowded and anglers are most likely to run into other fishermen or experience more wary trout. However, the weather and conditions are typically most pleasant during the summer months of December – February with warmer temperatures and longer days. March and April are also excellent months for taking perhaps the biggest fish of the season and a little cooler weather than the peak summer months.

The following are some very basic generalizations to keep in mind…

• The most trout are often caught when the weather and water is cooler
October – Christmas and March – April

• The best conditioned trout are caught in the late season prior to spawning
End of February – April

• Surface activity with dry flies and terrestrials is best in summer
December – March


At Poronui Ranch, non-angling guests are not forgotten! The staff, apart from being expert fishing guides, are genial hosts with a desire to extend the finest hospitality to their guests.
Poronui has almost one hundred miles of private roads and tracks offering hiking and riding trails through wild and unspoiled pioneer country. The property has been developed as a recreation retreat with a comprehensive range of passive leisure activities from horseback riding, mountain biking, to clay target shooting. Poronui also has a modern sports and relaxation center with gym and health club facilities including massage treatment, steam, and sauna rooms.

Despite the seclusion of Poronui’s location, the lodge is only one half hour from the tourist town of Taupo. Taupo has a wonderful village atmosphere with great shopping and a huge variety of sightseeing attractions. Poronui has a large airstrip that takes most twin engine charter aircraft and there are regular daily flights into the local airport at Taupo from the main centers in New Zealand.

A little more than a one hour drive to the east of Poronui is the Pacific Ocean and the art deco city of Napier with its vibrant cafes and galleries. Napier was destroyed by earthquake in 1931 and completely rebuilt in the American art-deco style and has many interesting antique stores and curio shops offering a window to the country’s earliest treasures. The coastal area around Napier is known as Hawkes Bay and has arguably the finest climate in New Zealand. The area is known as the fruit bowl of New Zealand with bountiful gardens, orchards, vineyards, and wineries. The culture of growing grapes and making wine claims this area as its home and many of New Zealand’s finest vintages come from vineyards around Napier. Poronui has a car and driver available at the lodge for daily visits to any of these destinations.


High Season (December 1 - March 31, 2009)

Fishing Packages
$755 per night / per person (double occupancy)
$1125 per night / per person (single occupancy)

High Season Longer Stay Discounts
7 nights / 6 days (double occupancy)……………………………$4532 / per person
7 nights / 6 days (single occupancy)………………………………$6740 / per person
Non-Fishing Packages
$530 per night / per person (double occupancy)
$705 per night / per person (single occupancy)

Low Season (April 1 - November 30, 2009)

Fishing Packages
$615 per night / per person (double occupancy)
$934 per night / per person (single occupancy)

Low Season Longer Stay Discounts
7 nights / 6 days (double occupancy)………………………………$3530 / per person
7 nights / 6 days (single occupancy)………………………………$5400 / per person
4 nights / 3 days (double occupancy)………………………………$2075 / per person
4 nights / 3 days (single occupancy)………………………………$3115 / per person

Non-Fishing Packages
$390 per night / per person (double occupancy)
$515 per night / per person (single occupancy)


Accommodations as specified; Guided trout fishing as specified; All meals and beverages including house wines; Wilderness cabins and Campouts; Laundry Service; 12.5% New Zealand GST Tax


Airfare to Taupo, New Zealand; Fishing license; Flies; Guide and lodge staff gratuities; All helicopter fishing; Transfers to/from Taupo, New Zealand to Poronui ($140 one way per 4 guests); Laundry service; Equipment rentals; Specialty wines purchased from wine cellar; Items of a personal nature

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