The Parapara River is a river of the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows generally north from its watershed in the Kahurangi National Park, reaching Golden Bay at the small settlement of Parapara, 5 kilometres south of Collingwood.

Parapara River
Map
Route of the Parapara River
Parapara River is located in New Zealand
Parapara River
Mouth of the Parapara River
Parapara River is located in South Island
Parapara River
Parapara River (South Island)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationParapara Peak
 • coordinates40°50′11″S 172°38′50″E / 40.8363°S 172.6471°E / -40.8363; 172.6471
 • elevation1,249 metres (4,098 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Parapara Inlet
 • coordinates
40°43′42″S 172°40′48″E / 40.72821°S 172.68005°E / -40.72821; 172.68005
 • elevation
0 metres (0 ft)
Length20 km (12 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionParapara River → Parapara Inlet → Golden Bay / MohuaTasman Sea
Tributaries 
 • leftBlue Creek, Greenwood Creek, Glen Gyle Creek, Raby Riley Gully
 • rightGrueby Creek, Happy Valley Stream, Dam Creek, Washbourn Creek

In Māori tradition, the river is inhabited by a taniwha called Kaiwhakaruaki, who used to attack the people of Motueka and Tākaka. This tradition derives from Society Islands in Polynesia, where a monstrous shark called 'Aifa'arua'i (a cognate of Kaiwhakaruaki) is said to have lived in the Parapara Strait between Motue'a and Taha'a islands (cognates of Motueka and Tahaka).[1]

See also

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References

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

  1. ^ Anderson, Atholl (2015). "Ancient Origins, 3000 BC – AD 1300". In Anderson, Atholl; Binney, Bridget; Harris, Aroha (eds.). Tangata whenua : a history. Wellington, New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books. p. 30. ISBN 9780908321537.