The Oruarangi Creek is a stream in Māngere, in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows from Māngere into the Manukau Harbour.
| Oruarangi Creek | |
|---|---|
_at_the_mouth_of_the_Oruarangi_Creek.jpg) Royal spoonbills (kōtuku ngutupapa) at the mouth of the Oruarangi Creek | |
 Route of Oruarangi Creek | |
  Mouth of Oruarangi Creek .png)  Oruarangi Creek (New Zealand) | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Auckland Region |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Māngere |
| • coordinates | 36°58′45″S 174°46′32″E / 36.97916°S 174.7755°E |
| Mouth | Manukau Harbour |
• coordinates | 36°58′41″S 174°45′43″E / 36.97795°S 174.76199°E |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Oruarangi Creek → Manukau Harbour |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Kaipatiki Creek |
| Bridges | Oruarangi Bridge |
Etymology
editThe name of the creek refers to Ruarangi, who was a chief of the patupaiarehe, supernatural beings who lived in the area before the arrival of people.[1]
Description
editThe creek begins in Māngere. It follows a spiralling pattern through suburban, industrial and rural Māngere. It is met by a tributary river, the Waitomokia Creek, and flows north-west into the Manukau Harbour.[2][3] The creek's catchment covers an area of 536 hectares (1,320 acres), including Airport Oaks industrial estate, Villa Maria Vineyard, farmland and Makaurau Marae. The two kilometres of creek close to the river mouth are tidal and brackish.[4]
River health
editThe creek has elevated levels of zinc, copper, total petroleum hydrocarbon and other contaminants.[4]
History
editIn 1960, the Manukau Sewage Purification Works (now Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant) was opened,[5] The ponds caused degradation to the environment of the harbour, including traditional fishing grounds in the Oruarangi Creek, strong odours and swarms of Chironomus zealandicus (New Zealand midge) in the surrounding areas.[5] Between 1998 and 2005, Watercare Services removed the oxidation ponds, allowing the creek to flow directly into the harbour again.[4] Since this time, a number of regeneration projects have been undertaken along the shores of the creek.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Simmons, D. R. (1979). "George Graham's Maori Place Names of Auckland". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 16: 11–39. ISSN 0067-0464. JSTOR 42906272. Wikidata Q58677091.
- ^ "Oruarangi Creek". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Waitomokia Creek". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d Keefer, Leon; de Beer, Lloyd; Sullivan, Kelli; Shi, James (2016). "Cultural Alliances on SH20A". Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ a b "24 September 1960". Manukau's Journey – Ngā Tapuwae o Manukau. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_3712. Retrieved 27 October 2021.