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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Rivers and Harbours

Rivers and Harbours.

The Provincial District of Auckland contains but two navigable rivers which are considered worthy of being included in the list of New Zealand rivers—the Wairoa and the Waikato, but these two, viewed from the standpoint of general usefulness, are much the finest in the Colony. While the famous Clutha of Otago heads the list of New Zealand rivers, with a length of 220 miles, and a flow of over a million cubic feet per minute, it is navigable for barely forty miles, whereas the Waikato—the second on the list—though but 200 miles long, and with the relatively modest flow of 83,168 cubic feet per minute, is navigable for seventy-five miles. But even this is eclipsed by the mighty Wairoa, which pours its waters into the extensive Wairoa Harbour, for this splendid river is navigable for ninety-one miles, and, for nearly half that distance by ships of large tonnage. Its total length, however, is but 130 miles, and its volume 545,376 cubic feet per minute. The Waikato, it may be mentioned, takes its rise in Mount Ruapechu, in the Wellington Province, and flows through the magnificent Lake Taupo, discharging into the Tasman Sea about thirty miles south of Manukau Harbour. Of the other and
Lake Taupo.

Lake Taupo.

page 23 smaller rivers, many are both beautiful and useful.

Of the harbours, the Waitemata, which divides Auckland from the North Shore, is the principal; but there are many other commodious and beautiful harbours on the East Coast, such as the Bay of Islands, Whangaroa, Whangarei, Tauranga and others, which as settlement progresses will be of immense advantage to the district. Among the west coast harbours, bars prevail, and render navigation somewhat difficult. Manukau, Kaipara, Hokianga, and Kawhia are the principal.