Whananaki

{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Whananaki

|image_skyline = Whananaki Bridge.jpg

|image_caption = Whananaki Footbridge

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = New Zealand

|subdivision_type1= Region

|subdivision_name1= Northland Region

|subdivision_type2= District

|subdivision_name2= Whangarei District

|pushpin_map = Northland

|coordinates = {{coord|35|30|49|S|174|27|23|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}

}}

Whananaki ({{langx|mi|Whananāki}}) is a locality on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand. Whangārei is to the southwest. Te Wairahi Stream flows from the northwest into Whananaki Inlet, a wide tidal estuary which separates Whananaki from Whananaki South. Sandy Bay lies to the southeast.{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 5}}{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 25}} A long wooden footbridge connects Whananaki North and Whananaki South,{{cite web|url=http://www.longwayhome.co.nz/stories/storyReader$53|title=The Long Way Home|date=21 January 2005}} with an alternative connection being a {{convert|6|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} road that crosses the river above the estuary. Hikurangi is about 22 km southwest of Whananaki South.{{cite book|title=Guide to Whangarei City and District|last=Parkes|first=W. F.|year=1992|isbn=0-473-01639-7|pages=42}}

The area was reputedly named by Puhi, the captain of the legendary waka Mātaatua. The Māori-language word Whananāki means "kicking", and the name arose because mosquitoes caused Puhi to sleep restlessly.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/WhangareiTribes/1/en|title=Whāngārei tribes – Ancestors|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}