Ōtaki River

The Ōtaki River is in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand, located in the Kāpiti Coast District

Ōtaki River
Ōtaki River near Ōtaki
Route of the Ōtaki River
Location
Country	New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source	Tararua Range
• location	Pukematawai
• coordinates	40°44′48″S 175°25′17″E
Mouth
• location	South Taranaki Bight
• coordinates	40°45′31″S 175°06′15″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	65 km (40 mi)
Basin size	348 km2 (134 sq mi)[1]
Basin features
Progression	Ōtaki River → South Taranaki Bight → Tasman Sea
Landmarks	Ōtaki Forks, Tararua Forest Park, Ōtaki, Ōtaki Beach
Tributaries
• left	Collie Creek, Kelleher Creek, Kahiwiroa Stream, Whatiuru Creek, Penn Creek, Waiotauru River, Pukeatua Stream / Roaring Meg, Pukehinau Stream
• right	Waiopehu Stream, Murray Creek, Waitewaewae River, Arapito Creek, Plateau Stream, Gorge Creek, Waitatapia Stream, Ngātoko Stream, Rangiuru Stream.
Bridges	Ōtaki River Bridge

Geography

It originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45 kilometres (28 mi), heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Ōtaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge towards Kāpiti Coast, it crosses State Highway 1 (SH1) south of Ōtaki and reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Ōtaki Beach.^{[citation needed]} Around 80% of the catchment area of the river is within the Tararua Forest Park.^[1]

The Ōtaki River is one of the major rivers that formed the fertile floodplains of the Kāpiti Coast. The Ōtaki Forks area, accessible via Otaki Gorge Road, is a popular recreational area and the start of several tramping tracks into the Tararua Range.^{[citation needed]}

Uses

The Ōtaki River also offers fishing of brown trout and whitebait.^{[citation needed]}

It was reported in 1863 that the river contains "what appears to be vein stones of carbonate, of lime in soft slate, are found in grade quantities."^[2]