Mōtū River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mōtū River |
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Motu Falls, downstream from Motu village
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| Native name | Mōtū |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Maungahaumi Raukumara Range |
| River mouth | Bay of Plenty |
The Mōtū River is an important river in the eastern part of the North Island of New Zealand. It starts high up on the Maungahaumi mountain. This mountain is part of the Raukumara Range, located south of a town called Opotiki.
The river flows east, cutting through the mountain range. Along its journey, smaller rivers join it. Finally, the Mōtū River flows into the Bay of Plenty in the north.
Contents
What Does the Name Mōtū Mean?
The name Mōtū comes from the Māori language. It means cut off or isolated. This name describes the area where the river begins. For a long time, people thought this area was very remote. This was because of the very thick forests all around it.
Exploring the Mōtū River
The Mōtū River flows mostly through wild, hilly land. This area is very steep and still covered in thick rainforest. Because of its wild nature, the river is popular for exciting adventure sports. People enjoy activities like jet-boating and white-water rafting here.
The first time modern explorers traveled the whole river was in 1920. The Fisher brothers and S. Thorburn made this journey. They went from the Motu Falls all the way to where the river meets the sea. In 2013, Kevin Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald re-created this trip. They did it for a TV show called "First Crossings."
Why Was the River Not Dammed?
In the middle of the 1900s, there was a plan to build a dam on the Mōtū River. The dam would have been used to create hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is power made from moving water. However, this plan was eventually stopped. The river was not dammed.
See also
In Spanish: Río Motu para niños
