| Awanui River | |
|---|---|
| | |
| |
| Native name | Awanui (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Region | Northland |
| District | Far North |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Confluence of Victoria River and Karemuhako Stream |
| • coordinates | 35°07′01″S173°19′41″E / 35.117°S 173.328°E |
| Mouth | Rangaunu Harbour |
• coordinates | 35°01′S173°16′E / 35.017°S 173.267°E |
| Length | 30 km (19 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Awanui River |
The Awanui River is a river in the far north of New Zealand, close to the point at which the Aupouri Peninsula joins the rest of the Northland Peninsula. The Awanui flows first west and then north, for a total of 30 kilometres (19 mi), before flowing into Rangaunu Harbour. The town of Kaitaia is along its banks.
The four major upstream rivers which discharge into the Awanui River are the Takahue River, Victoria River, Karemuhako Stream, and Tarawhaturoa Stream. [1]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "large river" for Awanui. [2]
The Awanui River was extensively dredged for navigation until 1960, with a busy river port at Awanui exporting butter via coastal scows to Auckland, for trans-shipping to the UK. Upstream of Awanui it was dredged, and in places straightened, for flood control. Regular cargo scows included the Coronation, Tiri and Kapuni. Because of their shallow draught these scows were often assisted around the river bends by the work launch Ann, piloted by Harbourmaster Thomas George (Tom) Walker and later by his son Thomas Frederick (Larry) Walker. This family also operated the marine radio station ZLNF Awanui Radio, located at Unahi near the mouth of the river.
Thomas Frederick Walker died in 1987 and the Harbour Master's position was taken on by his son, Thomas Christopher Walker who still holds this position as of 2016. The position has been held by the Walker family for over 100 years.[ citation needed ]
Flooding poses a threat in the lower Awanui Catchment due to the low lying topography. The risk of flooding is particularly notable in the towns of Kaitaia and Awanui. Northland Regional Council monitors the Awanui River levels, as well as planning and implementing flood protection works. [3]
The water quality of the river is monitored by Northland Regional Council, and the environmental information can be viewed on the LAWA website. [4]
The town of Kaitaia extracts water from the Awanui River. [5]
The Northland Region is the northernmost of New Zealand's 16 local government regions. New Zealanders sometimes refer to it as the Winterless North because of its mild climate all throughout the year. The major population centre is the city of Whangārei, and the largest town is Kerikeri. At the 2018 New Zealand census, Northland recorded a population growth spurt of 18.1% since the previous 2013 census, placing it as the fastest growing region in New Zealand, ahead of other strong growth regions such as the Bay of Plenty Region and Waikato.
Kaitaia is a town in the Far North District of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupōuri Peninsula, about 160 km northwest of Whangārei. It is the last major settlement on State Highway 1. Ahipara Bay, the southern end of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach, is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west.
The Aupōuri Peninsula is a tombolo at the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. It projects between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It constitutes the northern part of the Far North District, incorporating North Cape, Houhora and the northern half of Awanui.
Lake Ōmāpere is the largest lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located to the North of Kaikohe.
The Oroua River is a river of the southwestern North Island of New Zealand.
Awanui is an historical river port in the far north of New Zealand, on the banks of the Awanui River just before it flows into Rangaunu Bay. Awanui lies at the south end of the Aupouri Peninsula in the Far North District Council of the Northland Region, approximately 7 km north of Kaitaia. The river port has ceased operation and a recreational wharf is located at Unahi, on the shore of Rangaunu Bay, approximately 3 km north of the township. The traditional name of Awanui was Kaiwaka and Awanui proper refers to the "River at Kaiwaka". Awanui had an estimated population of 650 as of June 2024.
Ngāi Takoto is a Māori iwi from Northland, New Zealand. The iwi is one of the six Muriwhenua iwi of the far north of the North Island. Ngāi Takoto trace their whakapapa (ancestry) back to Tuwhakatere, and trace their arrival in New Zealand to the Kurahaupo waka (canoe). The rohe of the iwi is focused on the upper North Island and extends to Kermadec Islands, Three Kings Island, Cape Reinga, Pao Island, Ninety Mile Beach, Waimimiha River, Ohaku hills, Whangatane River, Rangaunu Harbour and North Cape.
The Kaihu River is a river of the far north of New Zealand's North Island. It originates in native forest near Trounson Kauri Park flows southeast from just south of Waipoua Forest, reaching the Wairoa River at the town of Dargaville.
The Ōpārau River is a river of the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island in the area occupied by Ngāti Hikairo. 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. The river has about 171 km (106 mi) of tributaries.
The Utakura River is a river of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows west from its sources northwest of Kaikohe, reaching the Waihou River at the point where it widens to become an arm of the Hokianga Harbour.
Lake Morehurehu is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located to the Northeast of Te Kao on the Aupouri Peninsula.
Lake Ngatu is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located to the northwest of Awanui, near Waipapakauri.
Lake Rotoroa is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located to the west of Awanui.
Lake Waiparera is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located immediately North-West of Waiharara on the Aupouri Peninsula. The lake is the largest of the Aupouri Lakes. The catchment is predominantly pasture, with the remainder scrub or wetland. The lake has several inflows (drains), with no obvious outflows. The lake is easily accessed from SH1.
Lake Waiporohita is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located near Tokerau Beach on the Karikari Peninsula.
The Mangatangi River, or Mangatangi Stream, originates on the eastern slopes of the Hunua Ranges in New Zealand and flows roughly southwards until it is joined by the Ruaotehuia Stream just north of State Highway 2 between Mangatāwhiri and Maramarua, where it becomes the Maramarua River. Mangatangi can be translated as manga tangi to stream of weeping, or as rippling stream, or babbling brook.
Lake Heather (Wai Te Huahua) is a dune lake in the Far North District of New Zealand. It is located west of the town of Awanui, and between the larger Lake Ngatu and Lake Rotoroa.
Waipapakauri is a small settlement in the Far North District of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1 at the isthmus of the Aupouri Peninsula. The larger settlement of Awanui lies to the southeast. Waipapakauri is some 12 kilometres to the north of Kaitaia, the nearest town.
The Awaroa River is a river in the Ōtorohanga District on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. It flows north from its source near Te Koraha through Hauturu to Kawhia Harbour. The river passes through both pasture and indigenous forest. Over half of the river is in forest.
Unahi is a small settlement in the Far North District of New Zealand. It is located on the southern shore of Rangaunu Harbour between the mouths of Awanui River and Waipapakauri Creek, on the isthmus of the Aupōuri Peninsula. The larger settlement of Awanui lies to the south. Unahi is about 13 kilometres to the north of Kaitaia, the nearest town.