Wairoa River (Northland)

For other New Zealand rivers called Wairoa, see Wairoa River (disambiguation).

The Wairoa River in Northland New Zealand, sometimes referred to as the Northern Wairoa River, runs for 150 kilometres through the northern part of the North Auckland Peninsula.^[1] In the upper reaches, the river is formed from two separate rivers, the Mangakahia River and the Wairua River. The two streams meet to the northeast of Dargaville, becoming the Wairoa. It is the longest river in the Northland Region.

Wairoa River near Dargaville

Wairoa River
Northland's Wairoa-Wairua River system
Location of the Wairoa River in New Zealand
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Near Dargaville
Mouth
• location	Kaipara Harbour
Length	150 km (93 mi)

Painting showing the Wairoa River by Charles Heaphy

The river flows from here firstly southwest (as far as Dargaville) and then southeast for 40 kilometres in a wide navigable estuary which flows into the northern end of the Kaipara Harbour. For most of its length, this river is tidal.

In the 19th century, the river's swamplands near Dargaville were the most popular location for kauri gum digging.^[2]

36.1846°S 174.0583°E / -36.1846; 174.0583

References

1. "The Northern Wairoa River is central to the history of the Kauri Coast". www.kauricoast.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
2. Hayward, Bruce W. (1989). Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers. The Bush Press. p. 44. ISBN 0-908608-39-X.