This is Taranaki Falls at the end of our last day of the Tongariro Northern Circuit. It rained the ENTIRE way there, and just as we reached the ridge from which we hiked down to the waterfall, the sky cleared and we had a wonderful, well-deserved, and dry rest on the rocks (huge, ancient lava deposit) above the waterfall. From here, it was only 45 minutes back to Whakapapa Village where my car was parked. The path followed the Wairere Stream from the base of the falls back through the forest. What a beautiful way to finish off such a wonderful hike! This waterfall bit actually reminded me a lot of the north shore - bare boulders with lichen, waterfalls, and piney-looking trees along the cliffs. Yet another reason to love it!