Ōruawharo River

The Ōruawharo River is a river on the North Auckland Peninsula of New Zealand. It flows westward into the Kaipara Harbour west of Wellsford. It forms part of the boundary between the Northland region and the Auckland Region.

Ōruawharo River
The Oruawharo River as seen from Ātiu Creek Regional Park, draining into the Kaipara Harbour
Route of the Ōruawharo River
Mouth of the Ōruawharo River Ōruawharo River (Northland Region) Ōruawharo River (New Zealand)
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland Region, Auckland Region
Physical characteristics
Source	Confluence of the Topuni River and Maeneene Creek
• coordinates	36°15′31″S 174°28′11″E / 36.2587°S 174.4697°E
Mouth	Ōruawharo River
• coordinates	36°17′52″S 174°17′02″E / 36.2978°S 174.284°E
Basin features
Progression	Ōruawharo River → Kaipara Harbour → Tasman Sea
Landmarks	Hargreaves Basin
Tributaries
• left	Wharehine River, Wharehanu Creek, Takapau Creek, Takahe Creek, Atiu Creek, Mullet Creek, Oturapa Creek
• right	Koareare Creek, Kaira Creek

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives translations of "place of [a] stretched-out pit" or "place of Ruawharo [a personal name]" for Ōruawharo.^[1]

In pre-European times, the Ōruawharo River was important to the Tāmaki Māori people of the Kaipara Harbour. The Opou portage allowed waka to be transported across the Okahukura Peninsula between the Ōruawharo and Tauhoa rivers.^[2]

• List of rivers of New Zealand

• "Place name detail: Oruawharo River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.

• Photographs of Oruawharo River held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.