Whakatane River

Whakatane River with part of the city of Whakatane, the level and part of the Bay of Plenty

The Whakatane River is a 95 km long river in the North Island of New Zealand whose riverbed is located on one of the most active geological faults of the country, where the Pacific plate slides beneath the Australian plate.

In the language of Māori Whakatane as much as male qualities does this show.

Geography

The Whakatane River rises nearly 10 km south of the small town Ruatahuna and good 5 kilometers north-northwest of Lake Waikaremoana Te Urewera National Park in the middle of the Huiarau Range. From there the river flows directly to the north, along the east side of Ikawhenua and Raungaehe Range and reaches the Bay of Plenty by the Whakatane town where he eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean. The valley of the river lies in part on the currently most active fault in New Zealand to Whakatane Rift system, which is considered the northern extension of the Wellington Fault.

The flow drained at a flow rate of 200 m3/sec. during dry periods and floods with 30,000 m3/sec. an area of ​​about 232 km2. Average of two times a year flooded the Whakatane River a level of about 4 km2 above Whakatane.

Maori legend

The Māori named rivers or places for events or people. The name was first used in Whakatane, as reached the mouth of the Whakatane River more than six centuries, the Mataatua canoe from Hawaiki. The men had the boat moored to explore the new land. The women who were left behind, it was forbidden to do men's work, as well as to use the canoe. Unfortunately, the men had the canoe secured not good and the canoe to drift out to sea at low tide threatened also.

Wairaka, the daughter of the tribal leader Toroa noticed this and saw that the boat was floating toward the rocks. As it should be swam to the boat and stood up and shouted: " Kia Whakatane au i Ahau " ( German: "I want to do the work that is the man reserved. " ) Wairaka is taken the helm and the canoe returned safely have. Since that time, the place is called Whakatane.

In her honor was erected a 2.5 -meter-high sculpture in female -calling pose in 1965 on the small cliff directly into the estuary.

Use

The town of Whakatane and Ohope relate the place all their drinking water from the river. The water supply of 9,000 m3 per day peak capacity is designed for about 22,700 people.

The river is extremely well suited for fishing. Brown trout and rainbow trout between one and two kilograms size can be fished. In the mouth region of sea trout are caught preferred.

Along the part of the Whakatane River, which flows through the Te Urewera National Park, leads the Whakatane River track, poking a few kilometers south of the village Waikirikiri River and can be hiked up Ruhatahuna. The total traveling period of 25 to 37 hours can be divided into 9 sections with overnight facilities.

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All sources in English

• Whakatane River - An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966 edited by AH McLintock. ( Online edition )