Waitotara River
Encyclopedia
The Waitotara River in New Zealand
's North Island
stretches approximately 100km in length from its headwaters in the Matemateaonga Ranges to its mouth on the South Taranaki Bight
. The river takes in significant tributaries such as the Ngutuwera, Makakaho, Pokeka, Omaru and Totara Streams.
is the predominant settlement of the catchment, located at the junction of the Waitotara Valley Road and State Highway 3. The viability of the Waitotara settlement has recently been challenged by a number of devastating flood events, while the Waitotara School
has undergone complete refurbishment.
Along the Waitotara River lie the localities of Rangitatau, Puau, Orangimea, Tawhiwhi, Makakaho Junction, Ngamatapouri
and Taumatatahi. Ngutuwera catchment localities include Ngutuwera, Mangawhio, Waikare and the Omata Valley. Located in the upper reaches of the Makakaho Stream is the locality of Makakaho. The upper valley localities are particularly isolated, Ngamatapouri
Primary School being 47km from Waitotara village.
, a local Māori iwi
. Hapu include Ngaa Ariki (Waipapa Marae), Ngaati Pourua (Takirau Marae), Ngaati Hine Waiatarua (Parehungahunga Marae), Te Ihupuku Marae, and Ngaati Hou Tipua (Whare Tapapa, Kaipo Marae). The Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi headquarters are based in Wanganui.
The river was traditionally utilised as a means of transport. Food traditionally gathered from the Waitotara River include kakahi
(fresh water mussels), tuna
(eels), whitebait
, smelt, flounder
, and sole
.
and beef
pastoral farming
. The upper catchment (including the Omaru and Totara tributaries) remains as pristine forest, and is managed by DOC as the Waitotara Conservation Area. “Remote Adventures” operates a tourism
service in Taumatatahi, 57km from Waitotara village.
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...
's North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
stretches approximately 100km in length from its headwaters in the Matemateaonga Ranges to its mouth on the South Taranaki Bight
South Taranaki Bight
The South Taranaki Bight is the name given to the large bay which extends south and east from the south coast of Taranaki in New Zealand's North Island. With more symmetry than poetry or originality, it is matched by the North Taranaki Bight to the north of Cape Egmont.The size of the bight...
. The river takes in significant tributaries such as the Ngutuwera, Makakaho, Pokeka, Omaru and Totara Streams.
Settlements and access
The river catchment and its tributaries are accessed via the Waitotara Valley Road and Ngutuwera Road, and associated side-roads. The village of WaitotaraWaitotara
Waitotara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Wanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitotara River flows past the east side of the town....
is the predominant settlement of the catchment, located at the junction of the Waitotara Valley Road and State Highway 3. The viability of the Waitotara settlement has recently been challenged by a number of devastating flood events, while the Waitotara School
Waitotara School
Waitotara School is a small state primary school situated in the rural village of Waitotara, located between Wanganui and Hawera, New Zealand on State Highway 3....
has undergone complete refurbishment.
Along the Waitotara River lie the localities of Rangitatau, Puau, Orangimea, Tawhiwhi, Makakaho Junction, Ngamatapouri
Ngamatapouri
Ngamatapouri is a small rural locality in the Waitotara River valley, 47 km north of Waitotara village, in south Taranaki, New Zealand. Wanganui is about 80 km to the southeast. The road is sealed as far as the school....
and Taumatatahi. Ngutuwera catchment localities include Ngutuwera, Mangawhio, Waikare and the Omata Valley. Located in the upper reaches of the Makakaho Stream is the locality of Makakaho. The upper valley localities are particularly isolated, Ngamatapouri
Ngamatapouri
Ngamatapouri is a small rural locality in the Waitotara River valley, 47 km north of Waitotara village, in south Taranaki, New Zealand. Wanganui is about 80 km to the southeast. The road is sealed as far as the school....
Primary School being 47km from Waitotara village.
Traditional Māori land use
The Waitotara River is the home to Ngaa Rauru KiitahiNga Rauru
Ngā Rauru is a Māori iwi in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. In the 2006 census, 4,047 Māori claimed affiliation to Ngā Rauru, representing 14 hapu.-Early history:...
, a local Māori iwi
Iwi
In New Zealand society, iwi form the largest everyday social units in Māori culture. The word iwi means "'peoples' or 'nations'. In "the work of European writers which treat iwi and hapū as parts of a hierarchical structure", it has been used to mean "tribe" , or confederation of tribes,...
. Hapu include Ngaa Ariki (Waipapa Marae), Ngaati Pourua (Takirau Marae), Ngaati Hine Waiatarua (Parehungahunga Marae), Te Ihupuku Marae, and Ngaati Hou Tipua (Whare Tapapa, Kaipo Marae). The Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi headquarters are based in Wanganui.
The river was traditionally utilised as a means of transport. Food traditionally gathered from the Waitotara River include kakahi
New Zealand freshwater mussel
The New Zealand freshwater mussel, scientific name Echyridella menziesi, or kakahi, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Unionidae, the river mussels....
(fresh water mussels), tuna
New Zealand longfin eel
The New Zealand Longfin eel is one of three freshwater eels found in New Zealand. The other two species of eel are the Shortfin eel which is also found in south-eastern Australia and the recently arrived Australian Longfin eel .The easiest method for identification of the New Zealand Longfin eel...
(eels), whitebait
Whitebait
Whitebait is a collective term for the immature fry of fish, typically between 25 and 50 millimetres long. Such young fish often travel together in schools along the coast, and move into estuaries and sometimes up rivers where they can be easily caught with fine meshed fishing nets...
, smelt, flounder
Flounder
The flounder is an ocean-dwelling flatfish species that is found in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.-Taxonomy:There are a number of geographical and taxonomical species to which flounder belong.*Western Atlantic...
, and sole
Sole (fish)
Sole is a group of flatfish belonging to several families. Generally speaking, they are members of the family Soleidae, but, outside Europe, the name sole is also applied to various other similar flatfish, especially other members of the sole suborder Soleoidei as well as members of the flounder...
.
Contemporary land use
The lower catchment (together with the Ngutuwera, Makakahoe and Pokeke catchments) is largely reliant upon sheepSheep husbandry
Sheep husbandry is a subcategory of animal husbandry specifically dealing with the raising and breeding of domestic sheep. Sheep farming is primarily based on raising lambs for meat, or raising sheep for wool. Sheep may also be raised for milk or to sell to other farmers.-Shelter and...
and beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
pastoral farming
Pastoral farming
Pastoral farming is farming aimed at producing livestock, rather than growing crops. Examples include dairy farming, raising beef cattle, and raising sheep for wool. In contrast, mixed farming is growing of both crops and livestock on the same farm. Pastoral farmers are also known as graziers...
. The upper catchment (including the Omaru and Totara tributaries) remains as pristine forest, and is managed by DOC as the Waitotara Conservation Area. “Remote Adventures” operates a tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
service in Taumatatahi, 57km from Waitotara village.