Kaiwharawhara Stream facts for kids

The Kaiwharawhara Stream is a stream in the North Island of New Zealand - it flows through the northwestern part of New Zealand's capital, Wellington. Its headwaters lie within the suburb of Karori, and it passes through other suburbs before reaching the western shore of Wellington Harbour in Kaiwharawhara near the terminal of the Interislander Ferry. Part of its length runs roughly alongside the Johnsonville Branch railway, a branch line that once formed part of the North Island Main Trunk Railway - the latter now passes over the stream near its mouth.

Its main tributary is the Korimako Stream (which flows from Khandallah and Ngaio), though it is also fed by other tributaries, and its catchment covers roughly 19 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi). Much of this area consists of parkland and other reserves, though the water suffers from pollution in the form of stormwater and runoff associated with urban land-use.

It is piped for much of the route, from Zealandia (wildlife_sanctuary) to Otari-Wilton's Bush.