The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, running for 425 kilometres (264 mi) through the North Island. It rises on the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and flowing through Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake.

The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, and is a tupuna (ancestor), a taonga (treasure), and the mauri (life force) of Waikato-Tainui, Raukawa, Ngati Tūwharetoa and the Te Arawa iwi. The river starts its journey to the sea from high in the central North Island volcanic zone, 2797 metres above sea level.

Waikato River, river, the longest in New Zealand, in central North Island. Rising on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park as the Tongariro River, it flows north through Lake Taupo and, issuing from the lake’s northeastern corner, tumbles over Huka Falls and flows northwest to enter the Tasman Sea south of Auckland .

Feb 7, 2024 · Over summer, brown trout live in the cool headwaters of the Waipa River but after spawning in April/May they move downstream to feed on the abundance of small fish in the Waikato, remaining in the river until December.

The Waikato River and its region has been populated for at least the past 700 to 800 years. The river provided physical and spiritual sustenance for large populations of Maaori living along its catchment. Throughout that time it was a source of food, including eels, fish and plants. It was also an important waka route.

The grayling (known as pokororo, upokororo, paneroro and kanae-kura), fish native to New Zealand, are found in the Waikato River especially around the mouth of the Karāpiro Stream until about 1874, when it is suspected heavy flooding wiped them out.

At 425 km, the Waikato is the longest river in New Zealand. It begins on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, draining into Lake Taupō and exiting at the north-east. After flowing through a string of hydroelectric dams and passing through lowlands between Cambridge and Mercer, it turns westward, entering ...

The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. It flows for 425 kilometers through the North Island. It starts on Mount Ruapehu, joins the Tongariro River system, and passes through Lake Taupo. After draining Taupo, it forms the Huka …

The Waikato River Authority is approaching 10 years of leadership and advocacy on behalf of the Waikato River and Waipā River. The Authority’s purpose is to set the primary direction through Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato (Vision & Strategy) to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River and Waipā River.

Born on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the longest river in New Zealand drains Lake Taupo through Taupo town, blasts through a narrow rock chasm to create the Huka Falls, then winds more peacefully northwards towards Port Waikato, south of Auckland.