Pararaha Stream
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Pararaha Stream
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| image = Pararaha Stream, North Auckland (1987) (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 270px
| image_caption = Aerial view of the Pararaha Stream mouth in 1987
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| map = {{Infobox mapframe|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=12|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=270|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}}
| map_size = 270px
| map_caption = Route of the Pararaha Stream
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| pushpin_map = Auckland#New Zealand
| pushpin_map_size = 270px
| pushpin_map_caption= Mouth of Pararaha Stream
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| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_name2 = Auckland Region
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| source1 = Waitākere Ranges
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| source1_coordinates= {{coord|-36.981|174.533|type:river_region:NZ|display=inline}}
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| mouth = Pararaha Bay
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| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-37.0170|174.4765|type:river_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
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| progression = Pararaha Stream → Pararaha Bay → Tasman Sea
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| tributaries_left = Con Bryan Stream, Sykes Gully, Cowan Stream, Walker Stream, Foote Stream, Muir Stream
| tributaries_right = Tarati Gully, Waihuna Stream
| waterbodies =
| waterfalls = Pararaha Stream Waterfalls
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Pararaha Stream is a stream of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows westwards from its sources in the Waitākere Ranges through the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, and enters the Tasman Sea at Pararaha Bay, north of Whatipu.
Geography
File:Cordyline australis in Pararaha Valley.jpg
The stream originates south of the Huia Ridge in the central Waitākere Ranges, northwest of Te Toiokawharu. It flows west then south south-west, joined by tributary streams including the Con Bryan Stream, Cowan Stream, Walker Stream, Foote Stream and Muir Stream. The Pararaha Stream Waterfalls are found along this stretch of the stream, near Baldy.{{cite web|url=https://waterfalls.co.nz/waterfalls-by-region/116-new-zealand-waterfalls/north-island/auckland/waitakere-ranges-waterfalls/309-pararaha-stream-waterfalls |title=Pararaha Stream Waterfalls |website=New Zealand Waterfalls |access-date=29 September 2024}} After flowing south past Baldy, the stream changes course, flowing westwards towards Pararaha Bay, where it meets the Waihuna Stream. Pararaha Stream flows into the Tasman Sea after flowing through the Whatipu-Karekare sand dune complex.{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/35454 |title=Pararaha Stream |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=29 September 2024}}
The mouth of the stream has varied over time. During the mid-20th century it flowed westwards into the Tasman Sea. Around the year 1987, the stream changed course, flowing south through the Whatipu sand dunes past Te Marotiri ō Takamiro (Cutter Rock) into the Manukau Harbour. The course changed again around the year 2000, resuming its previous course, entering the Tasman Sea west of Pararaha Bay.{{cite journal|title=Plant succession and dune dynamics on actively prograding dunes, Whatipu Beach, northern New Zealand |year=2004 |first1=Andrew P. McK. |last1=Pegman |first2=G. L. |last2=Rapson |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |volume=43 |number=1 |pages=223–244 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.2005.9512952}}
Pararaha Point, south of the Pararaha Stream mouth, is an area of volcanic andesite flows originating from the Waitākere volcano.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/03036758.1977.10427155| volume = 7| issue = 2| pages = 123–141| last1 = Hayward| first1 = B. W. |author-link1=Bruce W. Hayward| title = Miocene volcanic centres of the Waitakere Ranges, North Auckland, New Zealand| journal = Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand| date = 1977| bibcode = 1977JRSNZ...7..123H}}
History
The stream is in the rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki. A major fortified pā site was found at the mouth of the Pararaha Stream.{{cite web|url=https://waitakereranges.org.nz/about-the-ranges/history-of-the-waitakere-ranges/ |title=History of the Waitakere Ranges |website=Waitakere Ranges Protection Society |access-date=29 September 2024}}{{cite book| title=The Historic Māori Settlements oF Waiti Village and Parawai Pā, Te Henga: Research Report |first=Kim |last=Tatton |work=Clough & Associated Ltd |date=June 2019 |url=https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2019/09/WTK_20190926_AGN_8256_AT_files/WTK_20190926_AGN_8256_AT_Attachment_71594_2.PDF |publisher=Auckland Council |access-date=15 May 2022 |isbn=978-0-908320-17-2}}
In the early 1870s, the mouth of the stream and three further points upstream were dammed by early settler and kauri wood logger William Foote, who constructed a kauri sawmill near the stream mouth. Sawn timber from the mill was transported to Whatipu in the south, and shipped to the port of Onehunga. In 1881, Foote's mill burnt down, after which the mill equipment was moved north to Karekare.{{Cite journal| last1 = Hayward | first1 = B. W.| author-link1=Bruce Hayward |last2 = Diamond | first2 = J. T.| author-link2=J. T. Diamond | title = Kauri Dam Sites in the Waitakere Ranges | journal = Tane |volume = 6 |pages=105–120 | accessdate = 2022-05-03| date = 1975| url = http://www.thebookshelf.auckland.ac.nz/docs/Tane/Tane-21/18%20Kauri%20Dam%20Sites%20in%20the%20Waitakere%20Ranges.pdf}}
The upper reaches of the Pararaha Stream valley were logged for kauri wood in the 1930s. By 1980, the Pararaha Stream valley was forested with regenerating New Zealand bush, dominated by mānuka scrub.{{cite journal|title=Some aquatic hyphomycetes from New Zealand streams |year=1985 |first1=Robyn D. |last1=Aimer |first2=Barbara P. |last2=Segedin |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |volume=23 |number=2 |pages=273–299 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.1985.10425331}}
In May 2018, the Pararaha Valley track was closed due to the effects of kauri dieback. The track was reopened in April 2022 after track improvements mitigating the spread of the disease were constructed.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/auckland/128422263/waitkere-ranges-tracks-reopen-after-fouryear-closure-due-to-kauri-dieback |website=Stuff |title=Waitākere Ranges tracks reopen after four-year closure due to kauri dieback |first=Melanie |last=Earley |date=22 April 2022 |access-date=29 September 2024}}
Recreation
The Pararaha Stream valley is accessible by the Pararaha Valley track and the Zion Ridge Track,{{cite web|url=https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Pararaha-Stream-and-Zion-Ridge-Track.pdf |title=Pararaha Stream and Zion Ridge Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park |website=Wilderness Magazine |access-date=29 September 2024}} the latter of which originated as a Māori overland trail. A campsite accessible by road can also be found at the Pararaha Stream.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/karekare-whatipu/ |title=Karekare–Whatipu |website=New Zealand Geographic |first=Shaun |last=Barnett |year=2010 |access-date=29 September 2024}} While the Zion Ridge Track remains closed as of 2024 due to the effects of kauri dieback, the Pararaha Valley campground and Pararaha Valley track are open.{{cite web}url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/stay-at-park/Pages/accommodation-details.aspx?itemID=100 |title=Pararaha Valley campground at Whatipū, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park |website=Auckland Council |access-date=29 September 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area}}
Category:Rivers of the Auckland Region
Category:Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area