Riuwaka River facts for kids

The Riuwaka River is a cool river found in the Nelson region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows for about 20 kilometres (that's about 12 miles!) before reaching Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere. You can find it near the town of Riwaka, which is about 10 kilometres north of Motueka.

The valleys of the Riuwaka River and the nearby Tākaka River are important. They form part of the main road that connects Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. This road is the only way to travel between these two bays.

The River's Secret Path

One of the most special things about the Riuwaka River is that part of it flows underground! It goes through limestone caves, like a secret tunnel hidden beneath the ground.

The Riuwaka Resurgence

After its underground adventure, the river comes back out into the open air at a place called The Riuwaka Resurgence. This spot is very popular with both people on holiday and divers. The water here is always super clear, and it stays very cold even when it's hot in the middle of summer.

Why the Name Changed

The name of the river was officially changed to Riuwaka River in August 2014. Before that, it was known as the Riwaka River. This change happened because of special agreements called Treaty of Waitangi settlements. These agreements were made between the New Zealand government (called the Crown) and local Māori groups, known as iwi. The iwi involved were Ngāti Rārua and Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui.

Images for kids

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  The Riuwaka River at The Resurgence