41-650: The Waitākere River is a river of the Auckland Region of New Zealand 's North Island . It flows north then west from its sources in the Waitākere Ranges , reaching the Tasman Sea at Te Henga / Bethells Beach , to the south of Muriwai Beach . The upper reaches of the river are dammed to form the Waitākere Reservoir . The Waitākere Falls, just below the dam, are 95 metres (312 ft) high and
82-577: A causeway. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Tamaki Strait and Rangitoto Channel . Other islands in the gulf include Browns Island , Motuihe Island , Pakihi Island , Pakatoa Island , Rakino Island , and Rotoroa Island in the inner gulf, around Waiheke and Rangitoto; Tarahiki Island just east of Waiheke; Motukawao Islands and Whanganui Island in the lee of the Coromandel Peninsula; and Channel Island in
123-629: A major drop in the volume of the river, stopping the river from being able to be navigated by canoe, reduced the water quality levels, and significantly affecting the availability of fish and other river resources, negatively affecting the Te Kawerau ā Maki community living along the river. Between 1919 and 1925, kauri logging intensified when the Kauri Timber Company (KTC) operated along the Waitākere River valley. During this period,
164-916: A population of 1,656,486 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 84,768 people (5.4%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 240,936 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census . There were 818,262 males, 832,188 females and 6,036 people of other genders in 544,083 dwellings. 3.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 35.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 318,843 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 346,938 (20.9%) aged 15 to 29, 770,949 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 219,750 (13.3%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 49.8% European ( Pākehā ); 12.3% Māori ; 16.6% Pasifika ; 31.3% Asian ; 2.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
205-673: A waterfall known as the Cascades, and an unnamed tributary stream where the Waitoru Falls are located. After exiting the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and meeting the Waitupu Stream, the Waitākere River flows westwards until it become a wetland, and flows into the Tasman Sea at Te Henga / Bethells Beach . The river was a central point for Te Kawerau ā Maki Māori, who originally called the lower section of
246-405: Is estimated to be between 100-200. In recent years, increases in numbers of migrating baleen whales are confirmed long after the end of hunting era. These are humpback whales , southern blue whales , pygmy blue whales , and southern minke whales . Less frequently, fin whales and sei whales are seen as well. For southern right whales , these whales will possibly become seasonal residents in
287-711: The Auckland Council on 1 November 2010, the Auckland Region consisted of seven territorial local authorities (TLAs); four cities and three districts: The Auckland Region is home to at least 23 known species or subspecies exclusively found in the region. This includes plant species such as the Waitākere rock koromiko , the undesccribed Mokohinau gecko , insect species such as the Little Barrier giant wētā , and bird species known to roost exclusively in
328-620: The Auckland Region , the Hauraki Plains , the Coromandel Peninsula , and Great Barrier Island . Most of the gulf is part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Hauraki is Māori for north wind . In 2014, the gulf was officially named Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "the mournful sea" for Tīkapa Moana . In traditional legend,
369-843: The Manukau Harbour , ending within a few kilometres of the mouth of the Waikato River . It also includes the islands of the Hauraki Gulf . It is bordered in the north by the Northland Region , and in the south by the Waikato region. The Hunua Ranges and the adjacent coastline along the Firth of Thames were part of the region until the Auckland Council was formed in late 2010, when they were transferred to
410-767: The Oruanui eruption 27,000 years ago, the Waikato River also flowed into the Hauraki Gulf at the Firth of Thames . The Hauraki Plains rivers were met by two tributaries, the Wairoa River to the west from modern-day Clevedon and the Umangawha Stream to the east, at Colville , Coromandel Peninsula . This river flowed north, along the plains, turning east and exiting towards the Pacific Ocean along
451-504: The Tawharanui Peninsula . Numerous beaches dot the shores of the gulf, many of them well known for swimming and surfing. During the last glaciation period the gulf was dry land, with the sea level being around 100–110 m (300 ft) lower than at present. The gulf was submerged when the sea reached its current level around 7200 years ago. During this period, the area was home to two river systems. The first of these
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#1732791858523492-468: The 20th and early 21st century from human use. Although major study by the Hauraki Gulf Forum in 2011 found that all environmental indicators were still worsening or stable at problematic levels, voluntary coast clean-up groups have collected about 450,000 litres of litter collected from the shoreline, although further conservation efforts are required to maintain the environmental integrity of
533-545: The Auckland Region, such as the New Zealand storm petrel . Many endemic species are found exclusively within the Waitākere Ranges , on Great Barrier Island , Little Barrier Island and the Mokohinau Islands . Auckland Region covers 4,941.16 km (1,907.79 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,798,300 as of June 2024, with a population density of 364 people per km . Auckland Region had
574-486: The Firth. Traditional Tāmaki Māori histories describe the naming of the gulf. The migratory canoes Tainui and Arawa left Raiatea at similar times, and both explored the Bay of Plenty area. The crew of both canoes met at Horuhoru Rock (Gannet Rock) , where a ceremony was held in memory for the relatives they had lost on the journey. During the ceremony, a mauri stone brought with them on their voyage named Tīkapa
615-547: The Hauraki Gulf is protected by a taniwha named Ureia, who takes the form of a whale. The gulf is part of the Pacific Ocean , which it joins to the north and east. It is largely protected from the Pacific by Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island to the north, and by the 80-kilometre-long Coromandel Peninsula to the east. It is thus well protected against all but northern winds. Three large channels join
656-467: The Waikato region. In land area the region is smaller than all the other regions and unitary authorities except Nelson . The region's coastline is 3,702 kilometres (2,300 mi) long. It has about 21,000 kilometres (13,000 mi) of rivers and streams, about 8 percent of these in urban areas. Its highest point is the summit of Little Barrier Island , at 722 metres. Prior to the merger into
697-518: The beaches and restore their vitality. Sections 7 and 8 of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 state: 7 Recognition of national significance of Hauraki Gulf 8 Management of Hauraki Gulf The park is distinctly different from other conservation areas of New Zealand not only by being a marine environment, but because it is home to more than one million people along its shores and on its islands. It also contains
738-429: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 330,039 (24.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 571,350 (42.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 345,828 (25.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 44,700, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 194,880 people (14.6%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
779-647: The company operated a bush tramline along the valley. In 1927, the height of the Waitakere Dam was increased, which increased the size of the Waitakere Reservoir and flooded the original site of Waitī. Auckland Region Auckland ( Māori : Tāmaki Makaurau ) is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand , which takes its name from the eponymous urban area . The region encompasses the Auckland metropolitan area , smaller towns, rural areas, and
820-496: The dredging having destroyed the seafloor, and sediment drainage from the agriculture in the Firth of Thames affecting the mussel's viability. Numerous beaches dot the shores of the gulf, many of them well known for swimming and surfing. Although environmental problems exist around urban areas, with 14 out of 52 beaches in the Auckland Region at least occasionally showing unsafe pollution levels (mostly because of untreated sewage ) for bathing, environmental groups are working to clean
861-409: The food chain, led to further degradation, such as a widespread disappearance of kelp beds as they were overtaken by kina barrens. Trawler fishing in general is seen as severely damaging the gulf, and lobster stock are also reported as not rebuilding. It is estimated that today's fish stocks are around 25% of pre-European levels. Also particularly damaging are the results of nitrogen carried into
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#1732791858523902-439: The gulf as the populations recover (one of two of the first confirmed birth records on New Zealand's main islands since after commercial and illegal whalings were recorded at around Milford and Browns Bay in 2012 ). Sperm whales visit occasionally. Many of the islands are official or unofficial bird sanctuaries, holding important or critically endangered species like kiwi, takahe, brown teal and grey-faced petrel. Centred on
943-414: The gulf from surrounding agricultural land, with almost 90% coming from the dairy-farming runoff into the Firth of Thames . Other exploitation such as the dredging of the mussel beds of the Firth of Thames, reaching its height in 1961 with an estimated 15 million mussels taken (shortly before collapse of the industry) have led to damage which has not been recovered from forty years later, possibly due to
984-581: The gulf to the Pacific. Colville Channel lies between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier, Cradock Channel lies between the two islands, and Jellicoe Channel lies between Little Barrier and the North Auckland Peninsula . To the north of Auckland several peninsulas jut into the gulf, notably the Whangaparāoa Peninsula . Tiritiri Matangi Island is near the end of this peninsula. Further north, Kawau Island nestles under
1025-406: The gulf. Particularly damaging were the introduction of industrialised fishing , with for example snapper fishing peaking in the 1970s at more than 10,000 tonnes a year (though even in the 2000s, private fishing of this species is also a considerable factor, weighing in at 400–800 tonnes a year). This severe overfishing, which unbalanced the marine environment by the removal of a main predator in
1066-526: The gulf. Nearly a third of the world's marine mammal species live in or visit the Marine Park. Among larger cetaceans , Bryde's whales are residents and relatively common in the Gulf, and their presence in these busily travelled waters leads to a large number of ship strikes, with sometimes several of the whales dying each year from collisions with shipping vessels or sport boats. The population remaining
1107-482: The islands of the Hauraki Gulf . Containing 34 percent of the nation's residents, it has by far the largest population and economy of any region of New Zealand, but the second-smallest land area. On 1 November 2010, the Auckland region became a unitary authority administered by the Auckland Council , replacing the previous regional council and seven local councils. In the process, an area in its southeastern corner
1148-581: The late 1880s, a small sawmill operated in the Waitākere River valley. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Waitākere Falls was one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Waitākere Ranges, until the construction of the Waitākere Dam in 1910 severely reduced the water volume. The dam was constructed to solve successive drinking water crises faced by the city of Auckland. It caused
1189-417: The main conservation island of Tiritiri Matangi and Little Barrier Island , numerous bird species that were locally extinct have been reintroduced in the last decades, while there have also been some naturally occurring bird "re-colonisations", especially after introduced pests were removed from breeding and nesting grounds. The gulf is a vibrant natural environment, which has seen significant damage during
1230-473: The modern-day Colville Channel between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island. In the west of the gulf lie a string of islands guarding the mouth of the Waitematā Harbour , one of Auckland's two harbours. These include Ponui Island , Waiheke Island , Tiritiri Matangi and the iconic dome of Rangitoto Island (a dormant volcano ), which is connected to the much older Motutapu Island by
1271-402: The outer gulf. In March 2020, a small excavation was carried out in a large coastal midden on Otata Island. In January 2018, huge swells in the Hauraki Gulf caused widespread damage to its coastal areas and in only a few hours, the coastline or Otata had been reduced by up to 5 meters, exposing the midden. The aim of the excavation was to record this information before it is lost to erosion and
Waitākere River - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-469: The river Te Awa Kōtuku, or the White heron 's Plume River, and the upper section Waikirikiri. The name Te Awa Kōtuku was a reference to the Waitākere Falls. The area was the most densely settled area of West Auckland , and the river banks were the locations of many Te Kawerau ā Maki kāinga , such as Ōhutukawa near Lake Wainamu , Motu, Ōkaihau, Raumati, Pihāriki, Parawai, and Waitī. In Te Kawerau ā Maki legend,
1353-493: The river is home to a malevolent taniwha named Te Mokoroa. While the river currently flows into the Tasman Sea south of Ihumoana Island at Te Henga / Bethells Beach, the river previously flowed north of the island, over-top of a rock named Waitākere ("cascading water"). The mouth of the river ("Te Puaha o Waitākere") began to be known as Waitākere during the early 18th century, after the death of an important chief whose body
1394-589: The third highest waterfall in the North Island. The stream originated in the Waitākere Reservoir in the Waitākere Ranges , and begins flowing northwards after leaving the Waitākere Dam. The Waitākere Falls can be found on the river adjacent to the dam. The stream flows northwest through the Waitākere Ranges and is joined by a number of tributary streams, including the Cascade Stream, the location of
1435-551: Was a river formed by two tributaries, the Mahurangi River and Waitematā Harbour (then a river) acting as tributaries. This river flowed north-east between modern day Little Barrier Island and Great Barrier Island , and emptied into the Pacific Ocean north of Great Barrier Island. The second was a stream formed by the major Hauraki Plains rivers: the Waihou River , Piako River and Waitakaruru River . Prior to
1476-492: Was carried out in partnership with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki , the landowners. An understanding the changing marine environment around the island will also form part of the work. At the southern end of the gulf is the wide, relatively shallow Firth of Thames . Beyond this lie the Hauraki Plains , drained by the Waihou River and the Piako River . The Hunua Ranges and hills of the Coromandel Peninsula rise on either side of
1517-493: Was laid on the rock. Over time, Te Kawerau ā Maki began referring to the entire river by the name Waitākere. The upper Waitākere River was first milled for kauri timber from the 1870s, with bullock carts transporting timber to Auckland along clay tracks and barges. The opening of the North Auckland railway between Auckland and Helensville in 1881 opened up the upper Waitākere River area for more intensive logging. In
1558-412: Was placed on the island. The name Tīkapa Moana was adopted for the surrounding ocean, and became the name of the gulf. Some particular common or known animals include bottlenose and common dolphins , the latter sometimes seen in "super schools" of 300-500 animals or more, while various species of whales and orcas are a relatively common sight. There are approximately 25 species of marine mammals in
1599-557: Was spoken by 92.3%, Māori language by 2.6%, Samoan by 4.5% and other languages by 29.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 42.5, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 34.9% Christian , 5.4% Hindu , 2.9% Islam , 0.9% Māori religious beliefs , 1.9% Buddhist , 0.3% New Age , 0.2% Jewish , and 2.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 44.8%, and 6.2% of people did not answer
1640-571: Was that 712,110 (53.2%) people were employed full-time, 161,946 (12.1%) were part-time, and 43,947 (3.3%) were unemployed. The eponymous city (urban area) of Auckland has a population of 1,531,400 as of June 2024, making up 85.2% of the region's population. Other urban areas in the Auckland region include: Hauraki Gulf The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana is a coastal feature of the North Island of New Zealand . It has an area of 4000 km , and lies between, in anticlockwise order,
1681-555: Was transferred to the neighbouring Waikato region. Since then, the Auckland Council has introduced a system of local boards to divide the region for local government. On the mainland, the region extends from the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour in the north across the southern stretches of the Northland Peninsula , through the Waitākere Ranges and the Auckland isthmus and across the low-lying land surrounding