Waiwera River (Auckland)

The Waiwera River is a stream of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island, near the township of Waiwera.

Waiwera River
The Waiwera River tidal estuary seen from Weranui Road
Map
Route of the Waiwera River
Waiwera River (Auckland) is located in Auckland
Waiwera River (Auckland)
Mouth of the Waiwera River
Waiwera River (Auckland) is located in New Zealand
Waiwera River (Auckland)
Waiwera River (Auckland) (New Zealand)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionAuckland Region
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates36°33′19″S 174°35′46″E / 36.55534°S 174.5961°E / -36.55534; 174.5961
MouthWhangaparāoa Bay
 • coordinates
36°32′29″S 174°42′37″E / 36.54148°S 174.71029°E / -36.54148; 174.71029
Basin features
ProgressionWaiwera RiverWhangaparāoa BayHauraki GulfPacific Ocean
LandmarksWaiwera, Mahurangi Island
Tributaries 
 • rightWainui Stream
BridgesWaiwera Bridge, Waiwera Viaduct

Description

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The river begins in rural Rodney, flowing east. After flowing past Meales Hill, the river widens to a tidal estuary, flowing into the Hauraki Gulf between the Wenderholm Regional Park and the town of Waiwera.[1] The mouth of the river is the tidal Waiwera Estuary, which is dominated by mangroves.[2]

Mahurangi Island is found in the Hauraki Gulf at the mouth of the river.[3]

History

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The river is within the rohe of both Ngāti Manuhiri, who descend from Te Kawerau, and Ngāti Rongo, a hapū of Ngāti Whātua who came to the area from Hokianga.[4][5] It was traditionally known as Awa Waiwerawera,[5] and was used as a way to access the inland ara (walking tracks) by waka.[4] The wider area was traditionally known as Mahurangi, named after the Mahurangi Island.[4]

The river is the location where a battle between Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Manaia (Ngāpuhi) occurred, and later the place where Tukituki of Ngāti Manuhiri and Rangihokaia, a rangatira of Ngāti Manaia, were wed in a peace-making agreement.[5]

An area of the southern shores was purchased by Scottish entrepreneur Robert Graham from Ngāti Rongo in 1844, where he established the Waiwera Hot Pools. The hot pools became a popular tourist destination in the 1870s, and people would be ferried to the resort along the river by John Sullivan, an early pioneer in the area.[4]

The Waiwera Wastewater Treatment Plant was established in 1974 along the Waiwera River, receiving waste water from the township of Waiwera and releasing treated water into the river.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Waiwera Stream". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ Janssen, Peter (January 2021). Greater Auckland Walks. New Holland Publishers. p. 31-32. ISBN 978-1-86966-516-6. Wikidata Q118136068.
  3. ^ "Mahurangi Island". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Wenderholm Regional Park: Our History" (PDF). Auckland Council. 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Ngāti Manuhiri; The Crown (21 May 2011). Deed of Settlement: Documents (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Statement of Evidence of Mark Douglas Bourne of Behalf of Auckland Council Watercare Services Limited". Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2023.