Uniquely among New Zealand rivers, the various pools and widenings of the Tongariro River and its marshy delta have been given specific names which are recognised as official by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). The river, the main waterway of the Waikato River system above Lake Taupo in the central North Island, has over 40 named pools, the majority of which are close to the town of Turangi, at or immediately above the river's delta.
| Lake | Area | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admirals Pool | 39°00′39″S 175°48′50″E | Above Turangi. | |
| Bain Pool | 38°58′25″S 175°48′38″E | ||
| Barlows Pool | 39°01′05″S 175°48′39″E | ||
| Beggs Pool | 39°07′48″S 175°49′24″E | Considerably further up-river than the other named pools, close to the Waikato Falls. | |
| Big Bend Pool | 39°02′30″S 175°49′38″E | ||
| Blue Pool | 39°02′39″S 175°49′45″E | ||
| Boulder Pool | 39°02′29″S 175°49′32″E | ||
| Breakaway Pool | 39°02′25″S 175°49′21″E | ||
| Breakfast Pool | 38°59′54″S 175°48′47″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Cattle Rustlers Pool | 39°00′58″S 175°48′39″E | Above Turangi. | |
| Cherry Pool | 38°57′16″S 175°46′37″E | ||
| Cliff Pool | 39°02′20″S 175°49′21″E | ||
| Cobham Pool | 38°57′15″S 175°47′10″E | Within a large bend in the river 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the mouth of the delta. | |
| Dans Pool | 38°56′45″S 175°46′40″E | On Maketu Island at the northern tip of the Tongariro delta. | |
| DeLatours Pool | 38°57′50″S 175°47′37″E | ||
| Downs Pool | 38°58′12″S 175°47′35″E | ||
| Duchess Pool | 39°01′42″S 175°49′00″E | ||
| Fan Pool | 39°02′26″S 175°49′32″E | ||
| Fence Pool | 39°03′09″S 175°50′11″E | Close to the river's junction with its tributary, the Whitikau Stream. | |
| Graces Pool | 38°57′40″S 175°47′50″E | ||
| Hydro Pool | 39°00′05″S 175°48′46″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Island Pool | 38°59′34″S 175°49′05″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Jellicoe Pool | 38°57′39″S 175°47′10″E | ||
| Jones Pool | 38°58′17″S 175°48′03″E | ||
| Judges Pool | 38°59′19″S 175°49′14″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Kamahi Pool | 39°00′28″S 175°48′40″E | Above Turangi. | |
| Log Pool | 38°58′22″S 175°48′22″E | ||
| Lonely Pool | 38°59′14″S 175°49′13″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Lower Birch Pool | 39°01′12″S 175°48′44″E | ||
| Major Jones Pool | 38°59′48″S 175°48′47″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Never Fail Pool | 39°00′23″S 175°48′44″E | Above Turangi. | |
| Poplar Pool | 38°57′15″S 175°47′40″E | ||
| Poutu Pool | 39°02′09″S 175°49′00″E | ||
| Red Hut Pool | 39°01′52″S 175°48′49″E | ||
| Reed Pool | 38°58′27″S 175°48′07″E | ||
| Sand Pool | 39°03′00″S 175°50′18″E | Close to the river's junction with its tributary, the Whitikau Stream. | |
| Shag Pool | 39°01′44″S 175°48′52″E | ||
| Silly Pool | 39°01′34″S 175°48′52″E | ||
| Stag Pool | 39°00′51″S 175°48′52″E | Above Turangi. | |
| Swirl Pool | 38°58′53″S 175°49′00″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| The Bends Pool | 38°58′03″S 175°48′05″E | ||
| The Rip | 39°00′02″S 175°48′47″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Upper Birch Pool | 39°01′24″S 175°48′45″E | ||
| Upper Island Pool | 38°58′42″S 175°48′54″E | Close to the town of Turangi. | |
| Waddells Pool | 39°01′55″S 175°48′49″E | ||
| Whitikau Pool | 39°03′04″S 175°50′18″E | Close to the river's junction with its tributary, the Whitikau Stream. | |
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Source: Mount Ruapehu—Flows into: Tasman Sea | |
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| Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence) | |
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| Longest New Zealand rivers |
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