The Waiheke River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows west from its origins on Mount Barron in the Southern Alps to reach the Ahaura River,[1] which it forms where it joins the Tūtaekurī River, 20 kilometres northwest of Lake Sumner.

Waiheke River
Waiheke River (right) joins the Tūtaekurī River (bottom) to form the Ahauri River (left)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMount Barron
 • elevation1,806 m (5,925 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Ahaura River
 • elevation
270 m (890 ft)
Length22 km (14 mi)

The Waiheke River flows down a long, low valley and is predominantly a shingle bed river flowing through beech forest with a margin of tussock grass along the banks. It can be kayaked, except during summer droughts.[2]

A pack-track to Canterbury used to go through Amuri Pass into the Doubtful River Valley.[2] It was improved by John Rochfort in 1863.[3] A route over the 993 m (3,258 ft) Amuri Pass remains in use.[4][5] Slaty Creek Hut has 4 beds, was built in 1952 by deer cullers and is now used by recreational hunters, trampers and climbers.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Place name detail: Waiheke River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b G. D. and J. H. Egarr (1981). "Recreational River Survey" (PDF). NIWA. ISSN 0110-4705.
  3. ^ "Correspondence. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 30 May 1863. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Amuri Pass, West Coast". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Doubtful valley track & routes". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Slaty Creek Hut". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 January 2023.

"Place name detail: Waiheke River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.

42°33′S 171°58′E / 42.550°S 171.967°E / -42.550; 171.967