Piha Stream
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Piha Stream
| native_name = {{lang|mi|Waiokahu}}
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| nickname =
| image = Piha 0772, New Zealand - panoramio (6).jpg
| image_size = 270px
| image_caption = Piha Stream seen from Lion Rock
| image_alt =
| 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 Piha Stream
| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = Auckland#New Zealand
| pushpin_map_size = 270px
| pushpin_map_caption= Mouth of Piha Stream
| pushpin_map_alt =
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_name2 = Auckland Region
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| length =
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| source1 = Waitākere Ranges
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|-36.945|174.525|type:river_region:NZ|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation =
| mouth = Tasman Sea
| mouth_location =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-36.9534|174.4681|type:river_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation =
| progression = Piha Stream → Tasman Sea
| river_system =
| basin_size =
| basin_landmarks = Piha
| basin_population =
| tributaries_left = Glen Esk Stream
| tributaries_right = Centennial Stream, McKenzie Stream, Maungaroa Stream, Slipper Gully, Ingram Stream
| waterbodies =
| waterfalls =
| bridges = Piha Eel Foot Bridge
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}}
Piha 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 Piha village, and enters the Tasman Sea south of Lion Rock.
Geography
The stream begins in the Waitākere Ranges near the junction of Piha Road and Anawhata Road. It flows westwards towards the Tasman Sea, joined by a number of tributaries: Centennial Stream, McKenzie Stream, Maungaroa Stream, Glen Esk Stream, Slipper Gully and Ingram Stream.{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/36060 |title=Piha Stream |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=10 November 2023}} The upper section of the Piha Stream features a small canyon,{{Cite web |url=http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/regions/auckland/towns.cfm/nodeid/483.html |title=www.newzealand.com |access-date=2011-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522165124/http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/regions/auckland/towns.cfm/nodeid/483.html |archive-date=2010-05-22 |url-status=dead }} and an estuary is found at the mouth of the stream.{{cite report|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bruce-Hayward/publication/256455607_Intertidal_life_around_the_coast_of_the_Waitakere_Ranges_Auckland/links/0046352f33a34b7cca000000/Intertidal-life-around-the-coast-of-the-Waitakere-Ranges-Auckland.pdf |title=Intertidal Life Around the Coast of the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland |date=January 2004 |publisher=Auckland Regional Council |access-date=10 November 2023}}
Biodiversity
The stream is a known habitat for the shortjaw kōkopu and giant kōkopu,{{cite report|url=https://www.knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/2110/waitakere-ranges-heritage-area-2018-report.pdf|title=Te āhua o te Rohe o Te Ika Whenua o Waitākere 2018 - State of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area 2018 |date=May 2018| publisher=Auckland Council |access-date=10 November 2023}} and the pouched lamprey.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1093/jhered/esac014| issn = 1465-7333| volume = 113| issue = 4| pages = 380–397| last1 = Miller| first1 = Allison K| last2 = Timoshevskaya| first2 = Nataliya| last3 = Smith| first3 = Jeramiah J| last4 = Gillum| first4 = Joanne| last5 = Sharif| first5 = Saeed| last6 = Clarke| first6 = Shannon| last7 = Baker| first7 = Cindy| last8 = Kitson| first8 = Jane| last9 = Gemmell| first9 = Neil J| last10 = Alexander| first10 = Alana| title = Population Genomics of New Zealand Pouched Lamprey (kanakana; piharau; Geotria australis)| journal = Journal of Heredity| access-date = 2023-11-10| date = 2022-07-01| url = https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esac014| doi-access = free| pmc = 9308044}}
History
The stream is in the rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki, and was given the name {{lang|mi|Waiokahu}} by the ancestor Rakataura of the Tainui migratory canoe,{{cite book |last=Taua |first=Te Warena |chapter=He Kohikohinga Kōrero mō Hikurangi |editor-last1=Macdonald |editor-first1=Finlay |editor-link1=Finlay Macdonald (editor) |editor-last2=Kerr |editor-first2=Ruth |title=West: The History of Waitakere |publisher=Random House |date=2009 |isbn=9781869790080 |pages=40–41}} who named it "The Waters of Kahu" after his wife Kahukeke, who found the Piha Valley area beautiful.{{cite web|url=https://www.piha.co.nz/history-piha-through-its-maori-names/ |title=History of Piha through its Maori names: Te Piha talk |website=piha.co.nz |access-date=10 November 2023}} The stream was used as a place by Tāmaki Māori to catch piharau (lampreys) as they ascended from the ocean.
The Black Rock Dam was built around the year 1910 on the Piha Stream, as a driving dam for kauri logging.{{cite q|Q123383221|pp=62-65}}
In 2008, a new footbridge was constructed across the Piha Stream. Designed by local artist Mandy Patmore, the bridge depicts the lifecycle of the New Zealand longfin eel.{{cite web|url=http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/ArtCul/ab/index.asp#pihaeelbridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514071300mp_/http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/ArtCul/ab/index.asp#pihaeelbridge |title=Art/Design Bridges |publisher=Waitakere City Council |archive-date=14 May 2010 |access-date=10 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0810/S00059.htm |title=Piha footbridge opened |date=3 October 2008 |author=Waitakere City Council |publisher=Scoop |access-date=10 November 2023}}
File:Kitenui Knob and Piha Stream 20240102 131431.jpg and Piha Stream]]
Recreation
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area}}
Category:Rivers of the Auckland Region
Category:Rivers of New Zealand
Category:Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area