The Waitahnui is a beautiful river, watched some massive trout (rivaled any of the VI steelhead I had seen up to that point) lazily swim around completely oblivious to my cicada patterns. The evening bite at the mouth where it flows into Lk. Taupo was a blast. Saw some folks casting nets on a few beaches for some Mackeral and what not, sure they could have been tempted to take a fly if one gave it a shot.
Spent a month there but never did get to the South Island, certainly on my bucket list, Darrin you are a lucky guy, enjoy!!
Colin