Punakitere River

Punakitere River
Location
CountryNew Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationMount Hikurangi
  elevation631 m (2,070 ft)
Mouth 
  location
Waima River
Length43 km (27 mi)
Basin size325 km2 (125 sq mi)

The Punakitere River is a river of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is a tributary of the Taheke River, which forms the Waimā River, though it is longer than the Waimā itself. The Punakitere is polluted, especially with e-coli and phosphorus, and has its origins in several streams which flow through and to the south of Kaikohe, as well as from Mount Hikurangi. The rivers flow predominantly westward to reach the Waimā close to the small settlement of Moehau.