Waitakaruru Stream

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Waitakaruru Stream

| image =File:Morrinsville waterfall.jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption =Waterfall on the Waitakaruru Stream, beside the Morrinsville River Walk

| source1_location = Te Miro-Tahuroa Hills

| mouth_location = Piako River, at Morrinsville

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand

| length = {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| source1_elevation = {{convert|350|m|abbr=on}}

| mouth_elevation = {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_avg = {{convert|1.5|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}

| basin_size = {{convert|175|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

}}

The Waitakaruru Stream is a major tributary of the Piako River, within the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It should not be confused with the similarly named Waitakaruru River, which is also in the Waikato Region.

The Waitakaruru Stream has its origin in the Te Miro-Tahuroa Hills south of Morrinsville, within the Waikato District. Initially the stream flows south and south-west through Scotsman's Valley before turning northwards at Tauwhare flowing roughly parallel to the Pakaroa Range as it passes the boundary of Eureka before entering the Matamata-Piako District. The stream passes through the settlement of Motumaoho, progressively turning a more easterly direction towards Morrinsville, where it has a {{Convert|1.8|km||abbr=on}} walkway beside it{{Cite web|url=http://www.mpdc.govt.nz/our-community/71-our-community/walking-and-cycling-tracks/481-morrinsville-river-walk|title=Morrinsville River Walk|website=www.mpdc.govt.nz|access-date=2018-12-29}} and converges with the larger Piako River on southern outskirts of the town.

The stream catchment is highly modified by agriculture, ranging from sheep, beef and dairy farming. Parts of the middle catchment are prone to minor flooding due to a natural constriction in the stream channel between Eureka and Motumaoho. The stream is part of the Eureka Drainage Scheme, managed by the Waikato Regional Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environment/Environmental-information/REDI/911500/ |title=Land Drainage Schemes - GIS Layer |website=www.waikatoregion.govt.nz |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624041346/http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environment/Environmental-information/REDI/911500/ |archive-date=2012-06-24}}

The Waitakaruru Stream is notable in that it forms part of the catchment boundary between the Piako River catchment and the Waikato River catchment. The Piako River drains into the Firth of Thames, and ultimately the Pacific Ocean, while the Waikato River drains into the Tasman Sea. The bordering sub-catchment which feeds the Waikato River is the Mangaonua Stream.{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz409/Mangaonua-Stream/|title=Mangaonua Stream, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2018-12-29}} It also has a tributary named Waitakaruru Stream.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Services/publications/technical-reports/2017/TR201733.pdf|title=Regional rivers water quality monitoring programme: Data report 2016|date=June 2018|website=Waikato Regional Council}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz411/Waitakaruru-Stream/|title=Waitakaruru Stream, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2018-12-30}}

Near its source, in the Scotsman Valley area, the stream has short- and long-fin eels, common bully, torrentfish and koura.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Services/publications/technical-reports/2017/TR201732.pdf|title=Waihou and Piako ecological monitoring|last=NIWA|date=March 2017|website=Waikato Regional Council}}