The powerful waterfall on the Waikato River in New Zealand is Huka Falls.
Huka Falls is a set of cascades near Taupō, where the Waikato River drains Lake Taupō. Just upstream, the river suddenly narrows from roughly 100 metres wide to a turbulent canyon only about 15 metres across. That constriction forces a huge volume of water through the gorge, creating the falls’ distinctive pale-blue, foaming appearance.
The river’s canyon is cut into sediments deposited before the Oruanui eruption of Taupō Volcano about 26,500 years ago. The final drop is around six metres, although the depth and force of the water make the effective fall appear closer to 11 metres. Huka Falls is often called one of the world’s highest-flowing waterfalls because its average flow approaches 220 cubic metres per second.
A common mix-up is confusing Huka Falls with a single tall plunge waterfall. It is actually a connected series of rapids and drops, and its fame comes as much from its exceptional volume and speed as from its height.