Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. It flows for 425 kilometers through the North Island. It starts on Mount Ruapehu, joins the Tongariro River system, and passes through Lake Taupo. After draining Taupo, it forms the Huka Falls and flows northwest across the Waikato Plains. The river ends at the Tasman Sea south of Auckland, known as Port Waikato.[1][2]
The Waikato region surrounds the Waikato Plains. The Waikato river's current course was shaped about 17,000 years ago due to factors like climate changes and forest regrowth. Its main tributary is the Waipa River which joins it at Ngaruawahia.[3][4]
Name[change | change source]
The name Waikato means flowing water in Maori.[5] For local Maori tribes, especially the Tainui, the Waikato River holds spiritual significance and is a source of pride (mana). The Turangawaewae marae (sacred place), which is highly respected, is located near the riverbanks in Ngaruawahia.[4]
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References[change | change source]
- ↑ Miles, Sue (1984). The River: The Story of the Waikato. Pearson Education New Zealand Limited. ISBN 978-0-86863-418-0.
- ↑ "The Waikato River Trails Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ↑ Sandow, S.L., ed. (2011-12-21). Australian and New Zealand Microcirculation Society Meeting. S. Karger AG. doi:10.1159/isbn.978-3-8055-9933-7. ISBN 978-3-8055-9933-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wilson, C.J.N (December 2001). "The 26.5 ka Oruanui eruption, New Zealand: an introduction and overview". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 112 (1–4): 133–174. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(01)00239-6.
- ↑ "Waikato River". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. 1966.
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