Ōpārau River | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | New Zealand |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• elevation | 953 m (3,127 ft) |
Mouth | |
• location | Kawhia Harbour |
• elevation | 0m |
Length | 24.5 km (15.2 mi) |
Basin size | 120 km2 (46 sq mi) |
The Ōpārau River is a river of the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island in the area occupied by Ngāti Hikairo. [1] It flows southwest from its sources in the Pirongia Forest Park, the highest being The Cone, and flows into the Kawhia Harbour, 5 kilometres (3 mi) east of Kawhia. [2] The river has about 171 km (106 mi) of tributaries. [3]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives translations of "place of many fortified villages" or "place of falsehood" for Ōpārau. [4] The official name was confirmed by Gazette as Ōpārau River on 21 June 2019. [5]
The river is naturally turbid and had low to moderate levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, [6] though it is among the poorer rivers for ammoniacal nitrogen, black disc and e coli measurements. [7]
Tiritiri Matangi peninsula, in the river's estuary, [8] is a protected area of international ecological significance, as it is an important stop for migratory seabirds. [9] Redfin bully and kōaro are common fish in the river. [10] Fragrant fern [11] and Pānakenake grow in the valley. [12]
Walking tracks around the upper catchment of the river are the Ōpārau Route, Bells Track and Hihikiwi Track (part of Te Araroa long distance trail). [13]
In 1885 the road crossing the river was only 6 ft (2 m) wide at Ōpārau. [14] From about 1900 a coach ran for passengers between Kawhia and Te Awamutu, [15] with a launch between Kawhia and Ōpārau. [16] Ōpārau Ferry Bridge opened in 1913. [17] In 1924 a 52 ft (16 m) concrete bridge was built over the Ōpārau to carry what is now SH31. [18] Metalling of the road was completed in 1926. [19]
In 1938 the Hamilton mayor, John Fow, and Chamber of Commerce were reviewing plans for a new link to Kawhia. A route through the valley, via Kaniwhaniwha [20] and Karamu was suggested and, by 1945, there was much backing for a 10 mi (16 km) long road on that route, which would have reduced the distance between Hamilton and Kawhia by about 20 mi (32 km). [21]
From 1923 Ōpārau was served by hydroelectric power, generated for the dairy [22] by a 33 hp (25 kW) turbine at Mangapapa Falls, [23] about 2 km (1 mi) upstream from the village. [24] A 1922 Order in Council allowed up to 10 cu ft (283 L) per second of water to be taken. [25] The dairy opened in 1904. [26]
Ōpārau village had a school from 1902 [27] until it closed in 2006. [28]
"Place name detail: Oparau River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
Photos -