The Oruarangi Creek is a stream in Māngere, in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows from Māngere into the Manukau Harbour.

Oruarangi Creek
Royal spoonbills (kōtuku ngutupapa) at the mouth of the Oruarangi Creek
Map
Route of Oruarangi Creek
Oruarangi Creek is located in Auckland
Oruarangi Creek
Mouth of Oruarangi Creek
Oruarangi Creek is located in New Zealand
Oruarangi Creek
Oruarangi Creek (New Zealand)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionAuckland Region
Physical characteristics
SourceMāngere
 • coordinates36°58′45″S 174°46′32″E / 36.97916°S 174.7755°E / -36.97916; 174.7755
MouthManukau Harbour
 • coordinates
36°58′41″S 174°45′43″E / 36.97795°S 174.76199°E / -36.97795; 174.76199
Basin features
ProgressionOruarangi CreekManukau Harbour
Tributaries 
 • leftKaipatiki Creek
BridgesOruarangi Bridge

Etymology

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The name of the creek refers to Ruarangi, who was a chief of the patupaiarehe, supernatural beings who lived in the area before the arrival of people.[1]

Description

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The creek begins in Māngere. It follows a spiralling pattern through suburban, industrial and rural Māngere. It is met by a tributary river, the Waitomokia Creek, and flows north-west into the Manukau Harbour.[2][3] The creek's catchment covers an area of 536 hectares (1,320 acres), including Airport Oaks industrial estate, Villa Maria Vineyard, farmland and Makaurau Marae. The two kilometres of creek close to the river mouth are tidal and brackish.[4]

River health

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The creek has elevated levels of zinc, copper, total petroleum hydrocarbon and other contaminants.[4]

History

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In 1960, the Manukau Sewage Purification Works (now Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant) was opened,[5] The ponds caused degradation to the environment of the harbour, including traditional fishing grounds in the Oruarangi Creek, strong odours and swarms of Chironomus zealandicus (New Zealand midge) in the surrounding areas.[5] Between 1998 and 2005, Watercare Services removed the oxidation ponds, allowing the creek to flow directly into the harbour again.[4] Since this time, a number of regeneration projects have been undertaken along the shores of the creek.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Simmons, D. R. (1979). "George Graham's Maori Place Names of Auckland". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 16: 11–39. ISSN 0067-0464. JSTOR 42906272. Wikidata Q58677091.
  2. ^ "Oruarangi Creek". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Waitomokia Creek". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Keefer, Leon; de Beer, Lloyd; Sullivan, Kelli; Shi, James (2016). "Cultural Alliances on SH20A". Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b "24 September 1960". Manukau's Journey – Ngā Tapuwae o Manukau. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_3712. Retrieved 27 October 2021.