Waingaro River (Tasman)
{{Short description|River in Tasman District, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Waingaro River
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=9|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=270|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}}
| map_size =
| map_caption = Route of the Waingaro River
| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = New Zealand#New Zealand South Island
| pushpin_map_size = 270px
| pushpin_map_caption = Mouth of the Waingaro River
| pushpin_map_alt =
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates = {{coord|-41.023|172.5532|format=dms|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation =
| mouth_location = Tākaka River
| mouth_elevation =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-40.8822|172.8102|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand
| length = {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg =
| basin_size =
| progression = Waingaro River → Tākaka River → Golden Bay / Mohua → Tasman Sea
| tributaries_left = Stanley River, Lindsay Creek, Fuller Creek, Devil River, Little Waingaro River
| tributaries_right = Ruby Creek, Skeet Creek
| waterfalls =
| bridges =
}}
The Waingaro River is a river of the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island.{{LINZ|id=46263|name=Waingaro River|accessdate=1 December 2019}}
Geography
Waingaro River initially flows east down a straight valley formed by the southern flanks of Snowdon Range and the northern flanks of Lockett Range within Kahurangi National Park. The headwater is near the {{convert|1604|m}} Waingaro Peak within the Lockett Range, accessible via a tramping track from Fenella Hut.{{cite web |title=Untitled |url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz40452/Waingaro-River/Tasman |publisher=NZ Topo Map |access-date=1 December 2019}}{{cite journal | url= https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/lockett-range/ |last1=Barrett |first1=Pat |title=12 destinations on the Lockett Range |journal=Wilderness |date=1 October 2015 |access-date=1 December 2019}} Shortly upstream of the confluence with the Stanley River, the only bridge over the Waingaro River is located. This simple suspension bridge gives access for trampers to Waingaro Forks Hut.{{cite web |title=Anatoki and Waingaro Tracks: Kahurangi National Park |url= https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/anatoki-and-waingaro-circuit-brochure.pdf |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=1 December 2019}}{{cite journal |title=Waingaro Forks Hut, Kahurangi National Park |url= https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/waingaro-forks-hut-kahurangi-national-park/ |journal=Wilderness |date=5 May 2016 |access-date=1 December 2019}}
Downstream from here, the Waingaro River turns to flow generally north close to the eastern edge of Kahurangi National Park. Once it reaches the Takaka Plains it flows northeast to reach the Tākaka River eight kilometres south of Tākaka, just downstream where State Highway 60 crosses the Tākaka River.
History
There are three rivers on the Takaka Plains and during times of early colonial settlement, drownings were common as no bridges had been built yet. During that time, a common greeting was "how is the river?" This is the title chosen for a book on Tākaka history published in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Hindmarsh |first1=Gerard |title=Old diaries inspire new Takaka history |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/our-people/98955463/old-diaries-inspire-new-takaka-history |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=18 November 2017}}
The Waingaro River caused flooding on the Takaka Plains in Easter 2016 and in January 2017.{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Wild weather hits Nelson region, causing floods and closing roads |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/88651529/wild-weather-hits-nelson-region |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=22 January 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Lew |first1=Kai Ping |title='It was horrendous' – Takaka family could only watch as Waingaro River flooded their property |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/horrendous-takaka-family-could-only-watch-waingaro-river-flooded-their-property |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=1News |date=22 January 2017}}
Legal action was taken in 2016 over Waingaro River irrigation consents amid concerns that this may adversely affect the nearby Te Waikoropupū Springs. Whilst the springs themselves are protected, the aquifer feeding the system is not.{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Iwi raise concerns about water take plans near treasured Te Waikoropupu Springs |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/77734154/iwi-raise-concerns-about-water-take-plans-near-treasured-te-waikoropupu-springs |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=10 March 2016}} In 2023 the Environment Court awarded the springs and their aquifer a Water Conservation Order, the highest legal protection.{{Cite web |title=NZ's biggest freshwater springs granted highest legal protection |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/21/nzs-biggest-freshwater-springs-granted-highest-legal-protection/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=1 News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Water Conservation Order: Te Waikoropupū Springs |url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/public-consultations/decided/te-waikoropupu-springs/ |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=Environmental Protection Authority}}{{Cite web |date=21 September 2023 |title=Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/highest-legal-protection-new-zealand’s-largest-freshwater-springs |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=beehive.govt.nz}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kahurangi National Park}}
Category:Rivers of the Tasman District