Waiwhango River

Coordinates: 36°43′S 175°28′E / 36.717°S 175.467°E / -36.717; 175.467
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Waiwhango River
Koputauaki Bay and Waiwhango River valley in 1965
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationCoromandel Range
 • elevation514 m (1,686 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Hautapu Channel, Hauraki Gulf
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length8 km (5.0 mi)

The Waiwhango River is a river of the northern Coromandel Peninsula, in the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows generally southwest to reach the small Koputauaki Bay on the Hautapu Channel five kilometres northwest of Coromandel.

In the 19th century some logging was done[1] and gold, silver and copper were found in the area,[2] but workings were limited and a large kauri tree was noted to be still growing in 1931.[3]

After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 a debris dam built up. It was released by helicopters breaching the dam with monsoon buckets. As a precaution some houses were evacuated and the road closed.[4]

Waiwhango River from Colville Rd bridge after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Thames Star". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 March 1883. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  2. ^ "A VALUABLE DISCOVERY. Ashburton Guardian". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 10 September 1887. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Bay of Plenty Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 February 1931. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Koputauaki debris dam release and closure of Koputauaki bridge". www.tcdc.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 March 2023.

External links[edit]

"Place name detail: Waiwhango River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.

36°43′S 175°28′E / 36.717°S 175.467°E / -36.717; 175.467