The Hātea River is a river of New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. It flows from the north-east of Whangarei

Whangarei

Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...

 southwards and into the northern head of Whangarei Harbour. Its lower length forms the eastern boundary of the city. The banks along the lower reaches are parks and bushland with a series of metalled walks suitable for all weathers.

At Whangarei Falls near Tikipunga

Tikipunga

Tikipunga is one of the biggest suburbs in Whangarei, New Zealand. It is in the north-east part of the town and has the landmark Whangarei Falls nearby.The population was 6,114 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 450 from 2001.-Whangarei Falls:...

, the Hātea River drops 26 metres (85.3 ft) over a basalt lava flow. The falls, originally known as Otuihau, have been a picnic spot since at least the 1890s.

The spelling of the river's name was amended from Hatea to Hātea by the New Zealand Geographic Board

New Zealand Geographic Board

The New Zealand Geographic Board is constituted under the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 2008, formerly under the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946. Although an independent institution, it is responsible to the Minister for Land Information...

in 2007.