Waitākere River
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2021) |
| Waitākere River | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Tasman Sea |
• coordinates | 36°53′29″S 174°26′31″E / 36.8914°S 174.4419°ECoordinates: 36°53′29″S 174°26′31″E / 36.8914°S 174.4419°E |
| Length | 16 km (10 mi) |
The Waitākere River is a river of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows north then west from its sources in the Waitākere Ranges, reaching the Tasman Sea at Te Henga (Bethells Beach), to the south of Muriwai Beach. The upper reaches of the river are dammed to form the Waitākere Reservoir. The Waitākere Falls, just below the dam, are 95 metres (312 ft) high and the third highest waterfall in the North Island.[1]
The river was a central point for Te Kawerau ā Maki Māori, who originally called the lower section of the river Te Awa Kōtuku, or the White heron's Plume River, and the upper section Waikirikiri.[2] Many kāinga were located along the river, such as Ōhutukawa near Lake Waimanu, Motu, Ōkaihau, Raumati, Pihāriki, Parawai, and Waitī.[2]
The Waitakere Dam was first constructed in 1910.[2] During the 1920s, the areas close to the river were milled for kauri timber.[2] In 1927, the height of the Waitakere Dam was increased, which increased the size of the Waitakere Reservoir and flooded the original site of Waitī.[2]
See also[]
- List of rivers of New Zealand
- Te Henga (Bethells Beach)#Ecology of the Waitakere River catchment
References[]
- ^ "Waitakere waterfalls". New Zealand Waterfalls. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Te Kawerau ā Maki Deed of Settlement Schedule" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- "Place name detail: Waitakere River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- Rivers of the Auckland Region
- Rivers of New Zealand
- Waitākere Ranges
- New Zealand river stubs
- Auckland Region geography stubs