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 | |
|---|---|
 Ōpārau River at Ōpārau and Pirongia in 2019 | |
 | |
| 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) |
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Name
editThe 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]
Pollution
editThe 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]
Nature
editTiritiri 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]
Walks
editWalking 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]
Roads and bridges
editIn 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]
Hydroelectric
editFrom 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]
School
editŌpārau village had a school from 1902[27] until it closed in 2006.[28]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ngāti Hikairo Iwi Management Plan Freshwater" (PDF). August 2005.
- ^ "The Cone, Waikato". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Environmental monitoring data for Oparau River". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Ōpārau River". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Shore Futures" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. November 2009.
- ^ "Oparau River at Langdon Rd (Off Okupata Rd) River Quality". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Tiritirimatangi Peninsula, Waikato". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "West Coast News" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. December 2016.
- ^ "Distribution, abundance and conservation status of native fish in some Waikato streams in the North Island of New Zealand". ResearchGate. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Fragrant fern". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Pānakenake (Lobelia angulata)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Pirongia and Raglan tracks" (PDF). Department of Conservation. September 2011.
- ^ "TO KAWHIA ON WHEELS. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 24 February 1885. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "TE AWAMUTU. WAIKATO ARGUS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 July 1900. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "KAWHIA. AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 December 1902. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL. KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 May 1913. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "OTOROHANGA NEWS. WAIPA POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 9 October 1924. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "LOCAL AND GENERAL. WAIPA POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 27 April 1926. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "PUBLIC OPINION. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 25 March 1938. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "ROAD TO KAWHIA. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 8 December 1945. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "HON J. G. COATES' VISIT. WAIPA POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 December 1923. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "OPARAU DAIRY COMPANY. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 15 December 1923. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "1:63360 map Sheet: N73 Kawhia". www.mapspast.org.nz. 1953. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "License authorizing the Oparau Co-operative Dairy Company (Limited) to Use Water from the Mangapapa Stream" (PDF). 3 July 1922.
- ^ "Local and General. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 4 June 1904. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "KAWHIA. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 17 October 1902. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Waikato classrooms sitting idle". Stuff. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
"Place name detail: Oparau River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
External links
editPhotos -