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The Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo in New Zealand. A few hundred metres upstream from the Huka Falls, the Waikato River narrows from roughly 100 metres across into a hard rock granite canyon only 15 metres across. The volume of water flowing through often approaches 220,000 litres per second. At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8 metres. The most impressive, final stage of the falls (pictured here) is an 11 metre drop. A jetboat takes tourists within a few meters of the bottom of the final stage. The falls were brought to national attention in February 1989 when the body of cricket umpire, Peter Plumley-Walker was found immediately downsteam, with wrists and ankles bound. The resulting investigation lifted the lid on the Auckland bondage scene and the prurient news media had a field day. Dominatrix Renee Chignall was acquitted of his murder after three trials. The falls supply water to the 90 MW Aratiatia hydro electric power station.
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