Waitakaruru River facts for kids

The Waitakaruru River is a river found in the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island. It starts in the Hapuakohe Range. The river first flows north, then turns northwest. It crosses the northwestern part of the Hauraki Plains. Finally, it reaches the southwestern corner of the Firth of Thames. This is near the town of Waitakaruru.

What Lives in the River?

Grey mangrove trees, also known as mānawa, have grown quickly in the river's mouth area. This has happened since about 1940. These trees have spread because of dirt and mud brought by the rivers. Climate change has also played a part in their growth.

Don't Get Confused!

It's easy to mix up the Waitakaruru River with another waterway. There is a similarly named Waitakaruru Stream. This stream is also in the Waikato Region, but it is found near Morrinsville.

River Health: What About Pollution?

The lower parts of the Waitakaruru River are not safe for swimming. This is because of high levels of pollution. The river has too much nitrogen and phosphorus. These pollution levels are much higher than what would naturally be in the river.

How Has Pollution Changed?

Overall, the pollution in the river has been getting worse over time. Scientists have been tracking this. For example, between 1993 and 2017, the amount of nitrogen in the river went down a little. However, other types of pollution, like the clarity of the water, got worse.

More recently, from 2008 to 2017, some things improved. The water became clearer, and levels of some pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus decreased. Even so, the river still faces challenges with pollution.