Wairoa River - Definition and Overview

Wairoa is the name of several rivers and streams in New Zealand. This is not surprising, as wairoa is Maori for long water.

Wairoa River, Northland

The Wairoa River runs for 150 kilometres through the northern part of the North Auckland Peninsula. In the upper reaches, the river it is formed from two separate rivers, the Manganui River and - confusingly - the Wairua River. The two streams meet to the northeast of Dargaville, becoming the Wairoa.

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.

Wairoa River, Hawkes Bay

The Wairoa River runs south for 65 kilometres from the inland East Coast region west of Gisborne, before flowing into northern Hawke Bay near the town of Wairoa.

Wairoa River, Tasman

This Wairoa River is located in the north of the South Island. It flows north for 45 kilometres before combining with the Wai-iti River to form the Waimea River. This flows into the southern end of Tasman Bay near Richmond.

Wairoa Stream, Bay of Plenty

The Wairoa Stream runs north into Tauranga Harbour at the western end of the Bay of Plenty.

Wairoa Stream, Motiti Island

A much smaller Wairoa Stream is found on Motiti Island in the Bay of Plenty.