Mohaka River 2.93

The Mohaka river is on the North Island of New Zealand in the east central region of Hawke’s Bay. Mohaka is a Maori word, roughly translated it means “place for dancing”. The iwi (Māori tribes) associated with the Mohaka River are Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Hineuru, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Mana Ahuriri. The headwaters are found in the Kaweka and Kaimanawa ranges. From the range it winds southeast before twisting northeast and finally southeast again to empty into the Pacific Ocean near the town of Mohaka. There are many gorges on the Mohaka; some as steep as 200m (656 feet). Its main tributaries are the Waipunga, Taharua, Hautapu rivers. The full length is and it drains a basin of.HistoryNgati Pahauwera’s traditional tribal territory is from the Te Hoe river junction to its mouth. The river, including its waters, bed and fisheries, is a taonga of Ngati Pahauwera. In particular they place great emphasis on the role the river plays in their tribal identity.The Mohaka was an important river for fishing and transport long before the settlers arrived. Archeological surveys have found extensive evidence of villages and temporary camps along the lower and upper Mohaka. The Maori collected Hangi stones, taupunga, opunga, poutama, kowhaturi from the riverbed.The famous Maori, Te Kooti, reportedly frequented the area. Te Kooti’s Lookout, said to be the sight of a fight with the British, is visible from the river. Later, Europeans used the Mohaka to transport timber. In 2004 a water conservation order was placed on the upper section of the Mohaka because of its fantastic fishing, scenic gorges and outstanding amenity for recreation. The area is also an important habitat for the rare blue duck.