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 | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Hauraki Gulf |
Description
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
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
References
- "Waiwera Stream". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- Janssen, Peter (January 2021). Greater Auckland Walks. New Holland Publishers. p. 31-32. ISBN 978-1-86966-516-6. Wikidata Q118136068.
- "Mahurangi Island". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- "Wenderholm Regional Park: Our History" (PDF). Auckland Council. 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- Ngāti Manuhiri; The Crown (21 May 2011). Deed of Settlement: Documents (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- "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.