80-761: Hapuakohe Range of hills is aligned north–south, between the Waikato River and the Hauraki Plains in the Waikato region of New Zealand . It is separated from the Taupiri Range by an air-gap at Mangawara , where the Waikato flowed about 20,000 years ago. The range is drained by the Waitakaruru and Whangamarino Rivers and their tributaries at the north end. Further south, tributaries of
160-573: A bird. Chalinolobus tuberculatus are members of the suborder Yangochiroptera within the family Vespertilionidae which contains four subfamilies; Vespertilioninae , Murininae , Myotinae and Kerivoulinae . Within the subfamily Vespertilioninae is the tribe Vespertilionini , which is where the Chalinolobus genus is found. Within the Chalinolobus genus, there are 7 species: C. gouldii, C. morio , C. dwyeri , C. picatus , C. neocaldonicus , C. nigrogriseus and C. tuberculatus. There
240-714: A case for the river before the Waitangi Tribunal as they would not win. An out-of-court settlement was arranged and the deed of settlement signed by the Crown and Waikato-Tainui in August 2008 settled the raupatu claim to the Waikato River, although other claims for land blocks and harbours are still outstanding. Waikato-Tainui now have joint management of the river with Waikato Regional Council . The ancestral Waikato River flowed from an ancient lake (Lake Huka) in
320-525: A catastrophic breakthrough flood causing the river to change course near Piarere . The Hinuera Gap and Waitoa River are evidence of the river's former course. The water level dropped quickly and the river stayed in this new course through the Maungatautari gorge and Hamilton Basin. Deposits show that the Waikato River was already in the Waikato Basin 21,800 years ago. The river starts in
400-477: A communal roost for a significant period of time. Although there is uncertainty in which population individual bats may belong in, the idea that they only roost with the same group every time suggests that the long-tailed bat may be at risk of genetic diversity reduction due to a closed social system. The long-tailed bat garnered legal protection under the New Zealand Wildlife Act 1953. With
480-513: A day has been drawn from the river at Tuakau, treated and pumped along a 38-kilometre (24 mi) pipe north to Auckland , where it is mixed with local water. This met 8% of Auckland's water needs in 2010/11. In December 2012 capacity was increased to 125 million litres (33,000,000 US gal), and in 2013 work started to increase it to 150 million litres (40,000,000 US gal). The treatment plant meets New Zealand's 2000 drinking water standards according to Water Care NZ. This
560-595: A few hours to an entire day. This process is utilised during all seasons, but is prioritised during the colder months. The long-tailed bat males and females enter torpor 80% of the days in a 3 month period while in solitary roosts, and 35% of days in communal roosts. Solitary roosting bats will often remain in this state for 12 hours, where communally roosting bats will only remain in this state for an average of 9 hours. Males of this species are able to engage in mating behaviours when their epididymides are grey and swollen. Sperm presence begins to occur in late summer which
640-453: A group will move at the same time. This is likely due to predator risk. Individuals of the long-tailed bat species will frequently move between being communal and being solitary in their roosting behaviour. Reproductive females usually remain in a communal roost during lactation, but move to a solitary roost post-lactation. This species also has different roosts for the night and the day. The night roosts are often positioned in areas where food
720-439: A peak amplitude of 28 kHz, and the call duration is on average 6.3ms. These calls are typical of forest edge foragers. Echolocation is incredibly important for aerial hawkers, as it allows them to navigate the exact position of their prey. The echoes do not work as efficiently when foraging on the ground due to disruptions from the forest floor and previous echoes bouncing back and interrupting new echoes. This causes confusion for
800-593: A single time. However, it is incredibly difficult to ascertain this number as the bats are very mobile, so this is most likely an underestimation. Roost site selection often is based upon the characteristics of trees, the composition of the forest, the selection of insects and the topography. The long-tailed bat has a preference for native trees such as the NZ cabbage tree ( Cordyline australis ), kānuka ( Kunzea ericoides ) , and tōtara ( Podocarpus totara ) . 95% of trees used reside in open-structured and lowland forests with
880-601: A source of their mana , or pride. The widely respected marae of Tūrangawaewae is close to its banks at Ngāruawāhia. For many years the Tainui tribe have sought to re-establish their links to the river after the New Zealand Wars (see Invasion of the Waikato ) and the subsequent confiscations of the 1860s, and are continuing negotiations with the New Zealand government . The Tainui iwi was advised not to bring
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#1732798285881960-407: A successful period of foraging, the weight can increase a further 3g, however, the original weight will be returned to by dawn. Their body length is comparable to a human thumb, around 5-6 cm, however, the wingspan usually sits at 30cm. For a bat this size, this is considered to be medium wing loading and a medium aspect ratio, which is typical for bats that forage along forest edges. Hence its name,
1040-487: A thickness of 200 metres (660 ft). A new lake was formed – Lake Taupō . The water accumulated until a new outlet was forced 120 metres (390 ft) above the present lake level, near Waihora Bay. Over the next few thousand years the bed of the river was raised by large amounts of eruption debris. Then the original, blocked outlet suddenly gave way; the lake level fell 75 metres (246 ft) as about 80 cubic kilometres (19 cu mi) of water and debris poured out in
1120-541: A water and recreation resource, the river was historically a critical communications and transport link for the communities along it. It took about 3 days to paddle a waka from Waiuku to the Cambridge/Te Awamutu area. Taupō , Mangakino , Cambridge , Hamilton , Horotiu , Ngāruawāhia , Huntly , Hampton Downs , Meremere , Waiuku and Port Waikato are on or close to it. The Waikato River in Hamilton
1200-401: Is an adaptation that involves the bats becoming inactive, and only the essential bodily functions continue. This reduces the amount of energy produced and allows for survival during times of physiological stress. While this process is similar to hibernation in that it involves slowing down the metabolic rate, it differs in that bouts of torpor are short and repetitive. This state can last for
1280-497: Is around the time that mating begins, however, pregnancy does not occur until late spring. Female bats become reproductively active at around 2 years old, and this continues up until they are 9 years old with annual births of a single pup. Female bats will be pregnant for a period of around 6–8 weeks across spring and into early summer. In December, a single infant bat, approximately 1 cm in length will be born. The offspring will be hairless and blind at birth. The mother will feed
1360-532: Is becoming incredibly rare in New Zealand, and is currently considered to be nationally critical. However, they have a very widespread, patchy distribution. There are populations on both of the main islands, as well as on Stewart Island , Little Barrier Island , Great Barrier Island and Kapiti Island . There is a negative relationship between the abundance of this species and urbanisation, and as of 2024, they are considered extinct in urban habitats. One of
1440-582: Is believed to have occurred in the Miocene , a significant time of environmental and climatic changes. This era coincided with the development of Australia’s arid environment, which contrasts vastly when New Zealand’s dense forest ecosystems. The diversification of species within the Chalinolobus genus likely took place between 5 and 10 million years ago, driven by the need to adapt to the differing environments found throughout Oceania. The long-tailed bat
1520-410: Is equal to or better than the A standard for Auckland's other water supplies. Slightly-modified human wastes are pumped into the river downriver of several towns. Hamilton city has one of the most modern water treatment systems in the world following a 2003 report by GHB water consultants. In 2007 $ 22 million was spent upgrading the existing intake station south of the city at Riverlea. This will meet
1600-648: Is essentially the location where a bat will reside when it is not flying. These cavities often are hollow tree stumps, in the ferns of trees, caves, fractures in rocks or under the bark of trees. The long-tailed bat roosts either individually or in a group. In the North Island , around 37.3% of bats engage in solitary roosting, whereas 62.7% are communal. In the South Island , 70% are solitary and 30% are communal. At communal roost sites, there has been recorded numbers of anywhere between 34 and 86 bats roosting at
1680-458: Is frequently used by rowers, kayakers and powered pleasure craft. Water-skiers and jet skis have zones outside the city limits where they can be used. The river was of military importance in the land wars between New Zealand settler and Kingitanga forces during 1863–64 and significant battles were fought. Three shallow draft gunboats were designed in New Zealand and built in Sydney in kitset form;
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#17327982858811760-472: Is generated annually by the scheme, which is around 13% of New Zealand's total electrical generating capacity. The river also provides cooling water for the coal / natural gas fired thermal power station at Huntly . The power station uses river water as a cooling medium for the old steam units, which means that large quantities of warm water is returned to the river. To limit environmental impacts, conditions are imposed by its resource consent , specifying
1840-590: Is largely the result of the massive Hatepe eruption of the Taupō Volcano in 180 AD. The mean discharge of the Waikato River is 340 cubic metres per second (12,000 cu ft/s), with the highest flows typically occurring in July and August. Specific mean annual floods are low (60–70 L s-1 km-2), and the frequency of events with greater than 3 times the median flow is 0.4 events / year, due to flow regulation and groundwater storage in pumice. As well as being
1920-521: Is minor debate regarding their taxonomic position, with some zoologists claiming that the 13 species classified in the genus Glauconycteris should actually belong to the Chalinolobus genus. The family Vespertilionidae, likely diverged from the family Molossidae during the Eocene around 50 million years ago. Vesper bats are an incredibly diverse family with 59 genera, and would have faced extensive radiation shortly after their emergence. Chalinolobus
2000-455: Is more readily accessible. The day roosting sites are the location where torpor takes place. As a result of the very variable and seasonally influenced source of nutrition for this species, the adaptation of entering a state of torpor is incredibly important. The fluctuating body temperature and high rate of metabolism observed in this species means that they need to be able to enter this state during cold, wet periods of time. Torpor essentially
2080-644: Is predominantly found in Oceania , a geographic region which includes Australasia, Melanesia , Polynesia and Micronesia . The evolutionary history of the Chalinolobus genus is likely attributed to the biogeographical changes that occurred in this region. Genetic data indicates that Chalinolobus is very closely related to other genera within the Vespertilionidae family, many of which are also found in Oceania. Divergence from these related genera
2160-403: Is seen as the major causes of this pollution. Since 2000 Environment Waikato has joined with conservation minded farmers to bring about more efficient and scientific use of fertilizers. The removal of the native vegetation throughout the catchment to accommodate the increasing demand for farmland has contributed to the silting-up of the river with loose soils from eroded farmland, although most of
2240-442: Is solely insectivorous, with faeces samples suggesting both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. The more common insect groups found to be consumed by this species are Diptera , Coleoptera and Lepidoptera . In general, flies (Diptera) are their most significant source of food, however, they are an insectivorous generalist, meaning they will consume whichever insects are readily abundant in their habitat. Moths (Lepidoptera), are
2320-593: The Hinuera Gap into the Firth of Thames and from there into the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana . The most recent occasion this is known to have occurred ended some 20,000 years ago, although it is possible that it also flowed north more recently, until about 1800 years ago. A remnant of this former course can be seen as a spur on Lake Karapiro to the south of the settlement of Piarere . The river's current course
2400-480: The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) considering it to be under the umbrella category of ‘Threatened’, but the conversation status of ‘Nationally Critical.’ DOC also claims there are between 20,000 and 100,000 individuals left in New Zealand. The major threats for this species are mammalian predators, human and bird interference of roosts, logging of lowland forests and urbanisation. In
2480-672: The North Island . It rises on the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu , joining the Tongariro River system and flowing through Lake Taupō , New Zealand's largest lake. It then drains Taupō at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the Huka Falls , and flows northwest through the Waikato Plains . It empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland , at Port Waikato . It gives its name to the Waikato region that surrounds
Hapuakohe Range - Misplaced Pages Continue
2560-553: The Piako River drain the east side of the range and streams flow to the Waikato on the west. The 1865 confiscation boundary ran along the range. The boundary between Waikato and Ohinemuri (from 1920 Hauraki Plains) counties followed a similar line, as does the current boundary between Waikato , Hauraki and Matamata Piako Districts. From north to south, the features named on the LINZ map are: As shown on this GNS map,
2640-712: The Taupiri Gorge to enter the lower Waikato region. Further north is Huntly and then Meremere , where the Whangamarino and Maramarua Rivers join it. From Mercer, where the Mangatawhiri River joins it, the Waikato flows west and southwest. Just before its mouth at Port Waikato , the Araroa River joins from the north. Numerous small islands lie in the long, thin delta of the river as it passes through low-lying swampy land between Meremere and
2720-565: The Tongariro River since 1945. The Poutu Stream joins from Lake Rotoaira to the east, as a tributary of the Tongariro, which flows northward, with State Highway 1 in parallel, through the town of Tūrangi , and into the southern side of Lake Taupō. Extensive engineering of lakes, tunnels and canals are used to generate hydroelectric power in the Tongariro Power Scheme . The Waikato River flows out of Lake Taupō at
2800-653: The WHO provisional guideline of 0.01 grams of arsenic per cubic metre and making the water unsuitable for drinking water unless treated. The majority of arsenic in the Waikato River comes from the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station . The amount of arsenic gradually declines as the river flows northwards and is at its lowest at the Waikato River Heads. Since 2002, around 75 million litres (20,000,000 US gal) of water
2880-416: The long-tailed bat has a long tail connected by a patygium to its hind legs, this distinguishes it from the short-tailed bat. The fur of the long-tailed bat is variable, with females often having chestnut colours and white tips on the fur. Males and juveniles are darker, with near blackish fur. In both sexes, the under layer of fur is pale brown and the wings are essentially hairless. The long-tailed bat
2960-612: The Avantidrome through St Peter's School of Cambridge and Tamahere was being constructed in 2019/2020, including an underpass at SH21 to Tamahere Park. Te Araroa (the walkway running the length of the country) follows the Waikato for most of its 80 kilometres (50 mi) between Mercer and Hamilton. The Waikato River and its hydro lakes are home to at least 19 types of native fish and 10 types of introduced fish. The introduced species include rainbow and brown trout providing what has been called "the finest fly-fishing in
3040-477: The HCC website. 37°22′10″S 174°42′29″E / 37.3694°S 174.708°E / -37.3694; 174.708 New Zealand long-tailed bat Chalinolobus tuberculatus , known more commonly as the New Zealand long-tailed bat , the long-tailed wattle bat or pekapeka tou-roa , is a small insectivorous mammal within the genus Chalinolobus . The long-tailed bat is one of 7 species belonging to
3120-662: The Hapuakohe Range is mainly formed of greywacke of the Jurassic Manaia Hill Group (shown as Jm on map). Overlain with volcanic ash , they've mainly formed clay podzol soils, with poor drainage, which are prone to sheet erosion , particularly on grazed, steep land. Cenozoic intrusive rocks surface at either end of the range; Tahuna unit (Mkt) at the south end is 6–7 Ma basaltic andesite and pyroxene andesite , with eroded remnants of lava flows and volcanic breccias . Miranda Unit (Mkm), at
3200-521: The Range. Until the 1980s kokako were in the area, but thought to be locally extinct now, though numbers have recovered in the Hunua Ranges to the north. 37°24′51″S 175°23′47″E / 37.41403°S 175.39641°E / -37.41403; 175.39641 Waikato River The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, running for 425 kilometres (264 mi) through
3280-476: The Waikato Plains. The present course of the river was largely formed about 17,000 years ago. Contributing factors were climate warming, forest being reestablished in the river headwaters and the deepening, rather than widening, of the existing river channel. The channel was gradually eroded as far up river as Piarere , leaving the old Hinuera channel through the Hinuera Gap high and dry. The remains of
Hapuakohe Range - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-400: The banks of the river. These include an unlined waste dump at Horotiu, just downriver from Hamilton, whose leachates include persistent organic pollutants such as dieldrin in quantities toxic to freshwater marine life. The 2002 GHD report saw new regulations put in place to make industries comply with a new bylaw which stops hazardous substances entering the water system at all according to
3440-411: The bats and explains the evolution of aerial hawking in this species, as the sound can travel more distance and has less objects present to disrupt the signal. Roosting is a behaviour carried out by the long-tailed bat which essentially involves an individual bat or group of bats finding a cavity and using it for predator protection, energy conservation, body heat regulation and birthing and rearing. It
3520-591: The centre of the North Island through deep gorges of welded ignimbrite and rhyolite , northward through the Hinuera Valley and Hauraki Basin into the Thames Estuary. It is possible that the river flowed through the Waikato Basin about a million years ago before returning to its Hinuera course. After the huge Oruanui eruption 27,000 years ago ignimbrite was showered all over the North Island to
3600-492: The cities demand until 2016. Waste water in its untreated state is 99.9% water and 0.1% other matter. A series of sophisticated machines produce clean water of a high standard getting rid of bad tastes odours and toxins to meet the upgraded NZ water standards. The Pukete 2 project which started in 2002 will upgrade the plant in a series of stages costing $ 24 million. A further issue is industrial and metropolitan waste from early-established landfills and waste-emitting factories on
3680-416: The coast, the largest of which is Motutieke Island . There are also over 40 islands between Ngāruawāhia and Tuakau, depending on the level of the river. Maurea Islands, just south of Rangiriri were subject to a restoration trial to test comparative weed treatments, the main weeds being alder and yellow flag iris . In prehistoric times, the Waikato's course has occasionally shifted to flow north through
3760-759: The end of the Waikato River Trails, via Cambridge and Hamilton to Ngāruawāhia. Completion was planned for 2017, but the Cambridge-Hamilton section opening was further delayed from 2021 and opened on 9 December 2022. North of AFFCO at Horotiu , the route includes the second longest cycle bridge in the country (after the Timber Trail ), a 140 m (150 yd) long cable network arch bridge, budgeted to cost $ 2.6m and to open in August, but opened in November 2017. The section from
3840-491: The few main populations reside in Eglinton Valley, Fiordland , this core population is where sightings are often recorded. The long-tailed bat have very large home ranges of up to 20km in radius. The long-tailed bat is very small, illustrating their relation to microbats . The typical weight for this species is between 8 and 12g, however this can increase to ~16g during pregnancy and 12.5g during lactation. During
3920-607: The flood plains. Tanekaha , rewarewa , mingimingi , prickly mingimingi , silver fern , wheki , kanuka and pūriri are also common and there is some taraire . All the large kauri trees have been logged , but now about 42% of the native vegetation is protected from clearance, some 58% of the rest being kanuka and manuka scrubland, mainly on the eastern foothills. No detailed survey of native animals seems to have been done. Kererū and copper skinks are present. Longtailed bats , NZ falcon , Hochstetter's and Archey's frogs, forest gecko and green geckos are likely to be in
4000-523: The forest edge at least 500m away. ~30% of the trees used for roosting are dead trees that are still standing. Bats of every genus roost, yet for the long-tailed bat this behaviour is slightly different. The movement to different roosting sites is very frequent, and often a group or individual will not occupy a roosting site for more than one night. This species also does not cycle between a selection of roosts, almost every night it will be an entirely new site. The young will be moved and each individual from
4080-701: The form of many small streams on the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu . The Mangatoetoenui Glacier (once also called the Waikato Glacier) is one of the principal sources. The southernmost tributary is called the Upper Waikato Stream. The Waipakihi River joins the Waikato from the Kaimanawa Mountains to the west. From the point where the river meets the Waihohonu Stream, down to Lake Taupō , it has been formally named
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#17327982858814160-493: The genus Chalinolobus, which are commonly referred to as “wattled bats,” “pied bats” and “long-tailed bats." The genus Chalinolobus is characterised by fleshy lobes located on their lower lips and at the bottom of their ears. Some zoologists claim there is overlap between the Chalinolobus genus and the Glauconycteris genus. The long-tailed bat is one of two extant and three total terrestrial mammals endemic to
4240-701: The graves of the British military dead can be found at Rangiriri opposite the hotel, shops and cafe. The Waikato's first hydro-electric power station was the Horahora Power Station , now located under the Horahora bridge deep beneath the surface of Lake Karapiro . Horahora was built to supply electricity for the Martha gold mines at Waihi . The river has a series of eight dams and nine hydro-electric power stations that generate electricity for
4320-497: The hulk of the paddle steamer Rangiriri is preserved at Hamilton . In addition locally sourced barges were rebuilt with steel plating to carry troops and supplies. In support of these invasions, New Zealand developed its first "navy", the Waikato Flotilla , run by an Australian Francis Cadell who was presented with a gold watch and diamonds by the New Zealand government in recognition of his service. A cemetery containing
4400-646: The islands of New Zealand. The other extant species being the New Zealand Lesser Short-Tailed Bat ( Mystacina tuberculata) . The long-tailed bat is closely related to 6 other species of wattled bats found in Australasia , namely Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldi) the largest of the species belonging to the Chalinolobus genus. The long-tailed bat won the 2021 Bird of the Year competition in New Zealand , despite not being
4480-415: The long-tailed bat has been recorded to forage at is -1.5°C, lower than this is where torpor becomes important. Like most species of bat, the long-tailed bat uses echolocation for navigating and foraging for food. This involves the emission of rapid pulses of high frequency sounds which they can then detect the echoes of when it hits objects nearby. The echolocation call of the long-tailed bat reaches
4560-553: The most common insect consumed during warmer months, and due to the size of these insects, it is a very nutritious capture. Flies, including crane flies and midges , are key when the habitat of a bat is around a body of water or a wetland . The long-tailed bat is a very quick, agile insectivore. It primarily carries out two methods of foraging; aerial hawking and gleaning. Aerial hawking involves capturing and consuming aerial insects whilst in flight. They are known to forage primarily over bodies of water and forest edges, close to
4640-430: The most dominant individuals at communal roosts, accounting for 62.8% of adults. The second most dominant individuals are non-reproductive females at 22.1%, followed by males at 15.1%. The individuals of this species will almost always roost with the same group, with only ~1.6% of individuals varying this. This 1.6% is entirely non-reproductive females or adult males, suggesting reproductive females will remain dominant in
4720-550: The national grid. These were constructed between 1929 and 1971 to meet growing demand for electricity. The power scheme begins at Lake Taupō, which has control gates to regulate the flow of water into the river. Once released through the gates it takes over 18 hours for the water to flow to the last power station at Karapiro. On its journey downstream it passes through power stations at Aratiatia , Ohakuri , Atiamuri , Whakamaru , Maraetai , Waipapa , Arapuni and Karapiro . Approximately 4000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity
4800-464: The night actively foraging. The Fiordland population will often begin foraging 54 minutes before sunset, this came as a result of temperature and invertebrate abundance declining. The minimum temperature will determine whether the bats fly at night, and invertebrate presence determines how long they search for. In winter, the long-tailed bat becomes less active as insect availability becomes less and temperature drops. The lowest recorded temperature that
4880-563: The north end, is 13–10 Ma, also of basaltic and pyroxene andesite, but including dacite , tuff and hornblende . There is a 24.8 km (15.4 mi) Department of Conservation walkway along the range, allowing excellent views of Mt Te Aroha , Firth of Thames , Huntly power station , hill country south of Auckland and the Waikato Plains . The Hapuakohe Range includes Hapuakohe Conservation and Ecological (970 ha (2,400 acres)) areas, Mangapiko Valley (321 ha (790 acres)) and Matahuru (1,336 ha (3,300 acres)) scenic reserves,
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#17327982858814960-500: The old course are seen clearly at Hinuera , where the cliffs mark the ancient river edges. The Waikato's main tributary is the Waipā River , which converges with it at Ngāruawāhia . The name Waikato comes from the Māori language and translates as flowing water . The Waikato River has spiritual meaning for various local Māori tribes , including the large Tainui , who regard it as
5040-421: The past 150 years, this species has become greatly affected by predation from introduced mammals. As they are one of only two native mammals in New Zealand, they did not evolve to live in conjunction with other mammals. This has resulted in an abundance of bottleneck events. The main predators for this species are stoats ( Mustela erminea) and rats ( Rattus rattus) , as well as feral cats ( Felis catus) for
5120-535: The populations that are nearer to urban settlements. During periods where stoat and rat presence is increased, major population declines occur for this species, and recovery is only partially effective until the next predation outbreak causes an even larger reduction. With these outbreaks occurring every 3–4 years, it is predicted that this species with be reduced by a further 90% within the next 30 years. Current conservation efforts are being carried out by DOC, with frequent surveying and banding to understand more about
5200-629: The pup every 1–3 hours after birth. At 4–5 weeks of development, once the pup reaches at least 7g is will begin flying. The long-tailed bat has a proposed lifespan of around 7–11 years, however it is possible this species could live for 30 years in perfect conditions. Larger populations of these bats usually range between 100 and 350 individuals, however, due to the movement and crossover of population habitats, these numbers are not confirmed. There are also usually sub-populations within larger populations, so differentiating this becomes another issue. In regard to population structure, reproductive females are
5280-421: The quantity of water that can be removed by the station along with the maximum temperature of the water when returned to the river, 25 °C (77 °F). These conditions mean that output of the older steam units can be restricted, especially on very hot summer days. In 2006, a cooling tower was installed. This allows one 250 MW unit to run at full load even during such times. After widescale droughts in 1994,
5360-580: The river between Taupō and Karapiro. All the lakes in this stretch of the river (apart from Lake Taupō) are artificial. The river leaves the Volcanic Plateau at Karapiro, where it emerges from the Maungatautari Gorge, and flows northwest into the Waikato Basin, flowing through the towns of Cambridge , Hamilton , and Ngāruawāhia . It is joined by its largest tributary, the Waipā River , at Ngāruawāhia. It then flows north through
5440-458: The river to Orakei Korako , from Hamilton Gardens to Mystery Creek and Fairfield Bridge and, since 2009, from Tuakau to Port Waikato . On 19 July 2021 a ferry service began on the river in Hamilton, linking Swarbrick's Landing and Braithwaite Park with the museum and gardens . Services ended with liquidation of the company in September 2022. Three trails follow parts of
5520-533: The river. Boosted by New Zealand Cycle Trail funding, the Waikato River Trails , a 100-kilometre (62 mi) series of connected river cycling trails in the South Waikato. The River Trail has five sections, open to both walkers or bikes, between Lake Karapiro and Aratiatia. It opened in 2011. Te Awa River Ride runs for 65 km (40 mi) following the river from Horahora, near
5600-995: The river. Jet skis are confined to the city margins because of their noise. Power boats regularly use the river, including manufacturers and boating shops testing and demonstrating boats, especially in summer. In addition there are numerous kayaks and a few waka. There are council boat ramps, run by Waikato District , Hamilton City, South Waikato District and Taupō District , at Port Waikato Rd; Hoods Landing Rd, Otaua; Elbow Rd, Aka aka; River Rd, Tuakau ; Riverbank Rd, Mercer ; Churchill East Rd, Rangiriri ; Ohinewai Landing Rd; Boatie Reserve SH1, Parry St and Riverview Rd, Huntly ; SH1 Taupiri ; Waikato Esplanade, Ngāruawāhia ; Farm and Braithwaite Parks, Pukete ; Swarbricks Landing, Hamilton Pde, Pine Beach, Ferrybank, Memorial Park , Roose Commerce Park, Hayes Paddock , Hamilton Gardens ; Narrows Lane, Tamahere ; Karapiro (6 ramps); Arapuni (4); Maraetai ; Whakamaru (3); Ohakuri and Mangakino . A ferry service along part of its length
5680-420: The silting is due to the construction of the many hydrodams. In its pre-1930s wild state, the silt was flushed from the river every winter by flood surges. The remnants of these can be seen in the silt channels carved out of what is now St Andrews golf course, adjacent to the river in Hamilton. Arsenic enters the river at concentrations that reach 0.035 grams of arsenic per cubic metre in places, exceeding
5760-539: The small Lake Atiamuri and into the long east–west oriented Lake Whakamaru , with State Highway 30 following its course. It passes northwest through Lake Maraetai and Lake Waipapa, where it is joined by the Waipapa River , then north through Lake Arapuni and into Lake Karapiro . Pokaiwhenua Stream joins the river in Lake Karapiro. Nine hydroelectric power stations at eight dams extract energy from
5840-409: The southern 1,140 acres (460 ha) being protected since 1906 under the 1903 Scenery Preservation Act . A warm, humid climate influences growth, with rainfall of 120 cm (47 in) to 160 cm (63 in) a year. The natural vegetation was kauri forest, often mixed with podocarps , and, at the southern end, with hard beech , with rimu – tawa forest at higher levels and kahikatea on
5920-493: The town of Taupō in Tapuaeharuru Bay at the northeast end of the lake. It flows northeast past the town, alongside State Highway 1, to the Huka Falls . State Highway 5 runs more or less parallel to the river as it flows further northeast. About 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the lake, the river flows west and into the southern end of Lake Ohakuri . It exits from the northwest end of that lake and flows west through
6000-468: The use of the Waikato River to supply drinking water for Auckland was first considered. In July 2002, a water treatment plant was opened at Tuakau , which was expanded in 2021 after major droughts in 2020. The lower Waikato is popular for duck shooting . The Waikato is renowned among whitewater kayaking enthusiasts, specifically for the Full James rapid located north of Taupō. The Full James
6080-411: The water or ground which allows for effective access to flying insects. Gleaning is a method in which the bat will directly retrieve an insect from a surface, this is useful when targeting slower moving insects. They are nocturnal and therefore will begin foraging activities between 14 and 30 minutes after sunset and will continue into the late night. In general, the long-tailed bat will spend 68.3% of
6160-464: The world". Other introduced species, like the carp and mosquitofish , have become major pests. The large catchment area of the Waikato River is highly fertile farmland, so intensive agriculture is present. Due to the agricultural activity within the catchment significant agricultural pollution is leached into groundwater and contained in the runoff . The mismanagement of nitrogen fertilizer and effluent spreading practices in dairy farming
6240-508: Was for years conducted by Caesar Roose , several of whose descendants still live beside it. He brought the 1894 400-passenger steamer Manuwai from the Whanganui in 1920. In 1924 a Cambridge to Port Waikato excursion was being run 2 or 3 times a year, taking 12 to 14 hours downstream and a few hours longer upstream; for example steamers in 1939 took about 90 minutes from Ngāruawāhia to Hamilton. Manuwai sank at her moorings in 1938, but
6320-573: Was taken to Mercer for repair in 1939, where she was converted to a barge. Several of the old steamers remain under, or beside the river, including the Manuwai , Rawhiti (built 1925) and Freetrader on the west bank just south of Mercer. A 1928 article listed 14 boats that had provided river services. To improve navigation, rocks in the Narrows at Tamahere were removed in 1919. Public cruises operate from Aratiatia to Huka Falls , across
6400-486: Was the site of the 1999 World Whitewater Championships, as well as the pre-World event the year before. Lake Karapiro (an artificial lake) is regarded as one of New Zealand's best rowing venues. The World Rowing Championships in 1978 and 2010 , and the 1950 British Empire Games were hosted at Karapiro. The section of the river that flows through Hamilton has the most diverse river traffic with many schools and clubs using rowing skiffs. Rowing races are also held on
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