Pātea River

(Redirected from Patea River)

The Pātea River is in Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand. It runs for 105 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki, passing east through Stratford before swinging south and reaching the South Taranaki Bight near the town of Patea.

Pātea River
The mouth of the Pātea River
Map
Route of the Pātea River
Pātea River is located in New Zealand
Pātea River
Mouth of the Pātea River
Pātea River is located in North Island
Pātea River
Pātea River (North Island)
Native namePātea (Māori)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMount Taranaki
 • coordinates39°18′26″S 174°06′36″E / 39.3073°S 174.1101°E / -39.3073; 174.1101
Mouth 
 • location
South Taranaki Bight
 • coordinates
39°46′24″S 174°29′22″E / 39.773333°S 174.489444°E / -39.773333; 174.489444
Length105 kilometres (65 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionPātea RiverSouth Taranaki BightTasman Sea
Tributaries 
 • leftMangarangi Stream, Piakau Stream, Toko Stream, Makuri Stream, Mangaehu Stream, Mangakotuku Stream, Mangatoromiro Stream, Hauha Stream, Kuranui Stream, Urekawa Stream, Waireka Stream
 • rightPaetahi Stream, Ngaere Stream, Katatuna Stream, Maruarau Stream, Mangamingi Stream, Tutaeariari Stream, Otauira Stream, Okirau Stream, Upokorau Stream, Kakapirau Stream, Ohaha Stream, Ohio Stream
BridgesPātea Bridge

The river was the original portal to South Taranaki for both Māori and Europeans. In the early days of colonial New Zealand, the Pātea River defined the boundary between New Ulster Province and New Munster Province (from 1841 to 1853—refer to Provinces of New Zealand).

Many enjoy canoeing in the Pātea River—it is the only navigable river in South Taranaki.[citation needed]

Lake Rotorangi on the river is the longest man-made lake in New Zealand (46 km), formed when the Egmont Electric Power Board built the Patea Dam in 1980–84. The interesting southern access drive is via Ball Road through Alton and Hurleyville. There is a camping site with toilet facilities at the dam.[citation needed]