As a remote and wild valley, the Waitaha currently attracts trampers, hunters, and kayakers to enjoy the recreational opportunities the Waitaha River and Waitaha Valley present. In total an estimated 150 trampers, 50 hunters, and 50-100 kayakers utilise these opportunities each year.
When Environment Minister, David Parker, declined Westpower’s original application is 2019, he noted the concessions (permissions for building the scheme) will have “no direct adverse effects on tramping, hunting, and other land-based recreational activities in the area as access to these activities will still be able to occur. In fact, the improved access to the area as a result of the concessions from an access road being available for use by the public may have a positive effect on recreational tramping and hunting in the area.”