30-702: The Waipunga River is a tributary of the Mohaka River , located between Taupō and Napier in New Zealand's North Island . It runs roughly 50 km from its source near the eastern edge of the Volcanic Plateau to its junction with the Mohaka, of which some 15 km follow alongside the Napier-Taupō highway ( State Highway 5 ). The scenic Waipunga Falls are visible from a rest stop along
60-426: A dune slack. The fern is known to grow well in well-drained humus , and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. It does best when sheltered from winds and should be protected from frost. Evidence of large amount of macro-charcoals in the top layers of soil suggest that Cyathea dealbata establish themselves in areas where anthropogenic fires occur The earliest use of the silver fern as an official emblem
90-448: A silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking. The scales are a dark brown and are often twisted and glossy. Rhizomes very rarely prostrate, usually erect, forming a woody trunk up to 12 metres (39 ft) tall, 160 to 450 millimetres (6.3 to 17.7 in) in diameter, covered in light brown or white projecting stipe bases, bearing scales near
120-524: Is also the name of a class of railcar . Silver fern fronds appear on the coat of arms of New Zealand . Some alternative flags for New Zealand , such as the silver fern flag , utilise the fern. The official proposal of the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums featured the silver fern. The silver fern is also used extensively within politics and printed material, such as the logo of the New Zealand Labour Party . The Silver Fern
150-466: Is from the Te Hoe river junction to its mouth. The river, including its waters, bed and fisheries, is a taonga of Ngati Pahauwera. In particular they place great emphasis on the role the river plays in their tribal identity. The Mohaka was an important river for fishing and transport long before the settlers arrived. Archeological surveys have found extensive evidence of villages and temporary camps along
180-493: Is inspired by the shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. It is found extensively in Māori art, from carving to the official Māori flag , and is used in a stylised form as the logo for national airline Air New Zealand . Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin. In short, the fern has become one of the most widely recognized symbols of New Zealand, next to
210-525: Is not as good on the lower sections but the rapids are more exciting and challenging. Hiking is popular along the upper section. Trails lead to the hot springs and access the river in various places along the way. They are maintained by the Department of Conservation. Hunting for sika and red deer as well as pigs and goats is common. A permit is required. Silver fern Alsophila tricolor , synonym Cyathea dealbata , commonly known as
240-458: Is the correct name for Cyathea dealbata in Alsophila because the epithet dealbata is preoccupied by Alsophila dealbata C.Presl (now a synonym of Sphaeropteris glauca ). This fern is known to grow to heights of 10 metres (33 ft) or more (though it occasionally takes a rare creeping form). The crown is dense, and mature fronds tend to be about 4 metres (13 ft) long and have
270-416: Is the largest and longest in this section. There are 3 gorges to be appreciated on this run. Te Kooti’ s bridge marks the start of the grade V and the end of the grade III. After the bridge, it is an easy grade II float for about 4 km then the banks get steeper and the rapids start off with the largest one on the river, Long Rapid. Scenery on this stretch includes massive boulders, waterfalls falling from
300-462: The Maple Leaf whereas the New Zealand contingent wore a silver fern symbol. New Zealand peacekeepers have since used both the silver fern and kiwi symbols for different deployments to differentiate from their Australian and British counterparts. Additionally, several British Army units wear the silver fern, normally as a battle honour granted for serving with New Zealand troops. For example,
330-516: The Mohaka River are Ngāti Pāhauwera , Ngāti Hineuru , Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Mana Ahuriri. The headwaters are found in the Kaweka and Kaimanawa ranges. From the range it winds southeast before twisting northeast and finally southeast again to empty into the Pacific Ocean near the town of Mohaka. There are many gorges on the Mohaka; some as steep as 200m (656 feet). Its main tributaries are
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#1732802464117360-711: The Queen’s Royal Hussars , the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and the Warwickshire Yeomanry , all of whom fought with 2nd New Zealand Division at the Second Battle of El Alamein . The silver fern has long been used on dairy products, including the logo of New Zealand Natural , and was trademarked as early as 1885. It is a logo for many other organisations, such as (heavily stylised) the rail operator KiwiRail . The Silver Fern
390-453: The silver fern or silver tree-fern , or as ponga / ˈ p ɒ ŋ ə / or punga / ˈ p ʌ ŋ ə / (from Māori kaponga or ponga ), is a species of medium-sized tree fern , endemic to New Zealand. The fern is usually recognisable by the silver-white colour of the under-surface of mature fronds . It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves. Alsophila tricolor
420-534: The Kawekas and farmland becomes more common The river bends itself into an oxbow and shortly after rapids become larger as it leads into the grade III section. DOC campsites are still found along this 68 km stretch. As the more technical grade III rapids begin the river flows past native bush of the Tataraakina block on the left and Waitere Station on the right. This section contains Te Hoe's rapid, which
450-498: The Mohaka because of its fantastic fishing, scenic gorges and outstanding amenity for recreation. The area is also an important habitat for the rare blue duck . More recently it is a popular spot for rafting, kayaking, tramping and fishing. Up in the Kaweka range the Mohaka is a twisting grade II river with a bit of grade III. There are several Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites, hot pools and plenty of undisturbed native bush. After approximately 36 km, it comes out of
480-462: The Waipunga, Taharua, Hautapu rivers. The full length is 172 kilometres (107 mi) and it drains a basin of 2,357 square kilometres (910 sq mi). The Mohaka Viaduct is a railway bridge over the lower Mohaka river. The Napier–Taupo road ( State Highway 5 ) has had several bridges over the upper Mohaka, with the current one built in 1962. Ngati Pahauwera ’s traditional tribal territory
510-484: The Willow Flat Bridge, the size and frequency of large boulders decreases to be replaced by steep vegetation covered terraces. Sandstone and mudstone become more prevalent as the river approaches the ocean, as does farmland. Approximately seven fault lines cross the Mohaka river. Most are found in the upper section but the most obvious to untrained observers is found just above a rapid called Red Rock in
540-670: The apex. Arriving relatively late in New Zealand's history during the Pliocene epoch (around 5.0–1.8 million years ago), the silver fern occurs on the main islands of New Zealand—although absent from the west and south regions of the South Island —and on the Chatham Islands to the east. Its primary habitat is subcanopy areas of drier forests and in open scrub, although it is occasionally found on bush margins and in more open areas, and has been recorded from amongst rushes in
570-408: The first rapid then the river eases into a sedimentary rock canyon. The boulders, while impressive in size, are even more intriguing because of the holes and depressions the water has carved into them. House rock worth a closer look; the center has been carved out and is accessible only by a hole in the side. Fossilized shells and organic matter have been remarkably well preserved in the stones. After
600-487: The grade III more challenging. The grade V is a technical run for more advanced kayakers. Local rafting companies have the most up-to-date information and can often assist in setting up a shuttle. The upper section is the most popular destination for fishing in Hawke's Bay. Trout is a common catch, along with various varieties of native fish. Mainly brown trout are found above Pakaututu bridge and rainbow trout below. Fishing
630-439: The grade III section. It becomes apparent a fault has been crossed as the type of rock changes almost instantly. Commercial rafting is run on all sections of the Mohaka. Most sections can be run as a day trip or sections can be combined into multi day adventures. The Mohaka offers something for any level of kayaking . Beginners will find plenty of eddies and waves on the grade II sections while intermediate kayakers will find
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#1732802464117660-589: The highway. 39°06′S 176°41′E / 39.100°S 176.683°E / -39.100; 176.683 This article about a river in the Hawke's Bay Region is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mohaka River The Mohaka river is on the North Island of New Zealand in the east central region of Hawke’s Bay . Mohaka is a Maori word, roughly translated it means “place for dancing”. The iwi (Māori tribes) associated with
690-404: The kiwi—however, it is not an official national symbol . The silver fern has been used as a symbol by New Zealand national sports teams, in various stylised forms, since it was first worn by players in the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team which toured Britain. "Silver Ferns" is the name of the national netball team , and most other national women's sports teams have nicknames based on
720-466: The lower and upper Mohaka. The Maori collected hāngī stones, taupunga, opunga, poutama, kowhaturi from the riverbed. The famous Maori, Te Kooti , reportedly frequented the area. Te Kooti's Lookout, said to be the site of a fight with the British, is visible from the river. Later, Europeans used the Mohaka to transport timber. In 2004 a water conservation order was placed on the upper section of
750-422: The ocean Water level is usually highest in the spring, dropping naturally throughout the summer but can rise quickly in heavy rains. Slips are common and trees can sometimes be found drifting or jammed between boulders. There is an automatic river gauge which posts water level information (NIWA) or contact the local rafting companies for current conditions. Much of the Mohaka runs through sedimentary rock . In
780-617: The steep canyon walls and fascinating erosion patterns created by the water on the soft stones. The rapids are continuous for the full 18 km with the grade being mostly III+ with some exciting IV/V. The final stretch of the river after the grade V returns to grade II as it mellows and flows into the ocean. More steep walled banks of river and side creeks can be seen down this section as they cascade down, creating substantially high tiered waterfalls and smaller side gorges. The vegetation changes to become more lush, featuring silver fern or punga, eventually easing off to cleared farm land towards
810-532: The term "Ferns", such as Black Ferns (women's rugby union), Tall Ferns (women's basketball) and Football Ferns (women's association football). National sport teams using the silver fern include: The silver fern is also extensively used as part of the official symbols of New Zealand Olympics teams. In 1991, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union obtained trade marks for the name “All Blacks” and its own stylised fern, however
840-413: The upper sections, greywacke commonly forms the steeper banks with smaller stones and shingle forming shallow beds and beaches. Conglomerate , sandstone and limestone begin to dominate the banks and large boulders create the rapids down through the grade III section. Moving closer to the grade V section, the boulders become larger and the banks narrow into a deep gorge. Large conglomerate blocks form
870-715: Was by the New Zealand Army during the Second Boer War . Since then, the silver fern has been used by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during both world wars, and all Commonwealth war graves of fallen New Zealand soldiers have the silver fern engraved on their tombstones. During the 1956 Suez Crisis , Egyptians took exception to New Zealand and Canadian peacekeepers having the Union Flag on their uniforms. Canadian troops wore
900-521: Was first discovered by the Māori people, who are the indigenous people of New Zealand. According to the legend of the Māori people, the Silver Fern “once lived in the sea” and the Māori hunters would “...use the silver underside of the fern leaves to find their way home…”. When bent at an angle, the leaves of the fern would catch the moonlight and “illuminate a path through the forest” The koru symbol
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