The Ōruawharo River is a river on the North Auckland Peninsula of New Zealand. It flows westward into the Kaipara Harbour west of Wellsford. It forms part of the boundary between the Northland region and the Auckland Region.
| Ōruawharo River | |
|---|---|
 The Oruawharo River as seen from Ātiu Creek Regional Park, draining into the Kaipara Harbour | |
 Route of the Ōruawharo River | |
  Mouth of the Ōruawharo River   Ōruawharo River (Northland Region) .png)  Ōruawharo River (New Zealand) | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region, Auckland Region |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Confluence of the Topuni River and Maeneene Creek |
| • coordinates | 36°15′31″S 174°28′11″E / 36.2587°S 174.4697°E |
| Mouth | Ōruawharo River |
• coordinates | 36°17′52″S 174°17′02″E / 36.2978°S 174.284°E |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ōruawharo River → Kaipara Harbour → Tasman Sea |
| Landmarks | Hargreaves Basin |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Wharehine River, Wharehanu Creek, Takapau Creek, Takahe Creek, Atiu Creek, Mullet Creek, Oturapa Creek |
| • right | Koareare Creek, Kaira Creek |
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives translations of "place of [a] stretched-out pit" or "place of Ruawharo [a personal name]" for Ōruawharo.[1]
History
editIn pre-European times, the Ōruawharo River was important to the Tāmaki Māori people of the Kaipara Harbour. The Opou portage allowed waka to be transported across the Okahukura Peninsula between the Ōruawharo and Tauhoa rivers.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ Cameron, Ewen; Hayward, Bruce; Murdoch, Graeme (2008). A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historical Heritage. Random House New Zealand. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-86962-1513.
- "Place name detail: Oruawharo River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
External links
edit- Photographs of Oruawharo River held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.