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]
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 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]
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link)"Place name detail: Oparau River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
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