Wairoa River (Hawke's Bay)

The Wairoa River of the Hawke's Bay region in New Zealand runs south for 65 kilometres from the inland east coast region of the North Island, west of Gisborne, before flowing into northern Hawke Bay at the town of Wairoa.

The full Māori name of the river is Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangi Rau, which means the long, bubbling, swirling, uneven waters. The Wairoa River and its tributaries are vital for mahinga kai and hold high cultural value for Māori iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa, many of whom report an overwhelming sense of spiritual connection when they are at the river.

It has a catchment area of 1,415 square miles (3,660 km²), which includes Lake Waikaremoana.

The major tributaries are:

• the Hangaroa River
• the Ruakituri River
• the Mangapoike River
• the Mangaaruhe River
• the Waiau River
• the Waikaretaheke River

The Hangaroa River and the Ruakituri River merge at Te Reinga Falls, near Te Reinga. This is where the Wairoa River begins.

Lake Waikaremoana is formed in the rockfall-dammed headwaters of the Waikaretaheke River. It has a confluence with the Waiau River 14 miles from the coast.