Waikawau River (Thames-Coromandel District)

The Waikawau River is the name of two rivers of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. The more southerly flows generally west from its sources in the Coromandel Range, reaching the Firth of Thames at Waikawau Beach, almost 6 km (3.7 mi) north of Tapu. The other flows south east off the Moehau Range to join the Pacific at Waikawau.[1] Both rivers were officially named on 21 June 2019.[2][3]

For the river in south Waikato, see Waikawau River (Waitomo District).

Waikawau River
Waikawau River and tramcars in 1956
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationKakatarahae Coromandel Range
 • elevation725 m (2,379 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Firth of Thames
 • elevation
0m
Length20 km (12 mi)
Basin size33 km2 (13 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average73 m3/s (2,600 cu ft/s)
Waikawau River from SH25

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "water of the shag" for Waikawau.[4]

Fish in the river include longfin eels (tuna), torrentfish (panoko), koaro and īnanga.[5]

Waikawau River boat ramp

The area used by the boat ramp (since 2001)[6] and car park is part of a delta formed by the river.[7] Shingle was taken off the delta from at least 1920[8] to 1937.[9] The 219 ton[10] Devonport Steam Ferry paddle steamer Eagle[11] (1886-1924)[12] was on the beach at least from 1925[13] to 1927.[14] Former Auckland tram bodies were moved to the south end of the delta in 1953 for use as holiday baches.[15] Ngāati Tamaterā regained the delta and other areas under a Settlement dated 20 September 2017,[16] following Land Court irregularities dating back to 1878.[6]

Waikawau River bridge

The first bridge over the river was built in 1885.[17] A single lane concrete bridge now carries SH25 over the river.[18]

See also

References

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

  1. "Waikawau River, Waikato". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. "NZGB Gazetteer | linz.govt.nz". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. "Waikawau River". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  4. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  5. "draft Waikato Regional Coastal Plan" (PDF). 8 June 2022.
  6. "Tide of voices clouds claim". Stuff. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  7. Kathryn Anne Longstaff (2014). "Geomorphic variation of Thames Coast fan-deltas" (PDF). University of Auckland.
  8. Collins, T. W. (1 January 1920). "Auckland Weekly News - On the Picturesque Route from Coromandel to Thames that is Becoming Very Popular with Auckland Motorists : Coastal Road at Waikawau Creek". DigitalNZ. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  9. "Winstone Ltd: Waikawau Shingle Beach, Coromandel Peninsula". The Fletcher Trust Archive Collection Online. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  10. "New Zealand". www.paddlesteamers.info. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  11. "Devonport Steam Ferry Company". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. 1902. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  12. "Eagle (Paddle Steamer)". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  13. "Winstone Ltd - Waikawau Beach, Coromandel Peninsular: 1925 old paddle steamer beached in sand". The Fletcher Trust Archive Collection Online. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  14. "WEEK-END TRIPS. New Zealand Herald". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 17 December 1927. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  15. "Waikawau Tram Bach Heritage Area". TCDC.
  16. "Ngāti Tamaterā". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. "THAMES COUNTY-COUNCIL. Thames Advertiser". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 3 September 1885. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  18. "When coming up to a one-lane bridge, what does this sign indicate?". Driving tests.

36°56′22.81″S 175°28′20.44″E


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