Otaki River 3.06

The Otaki River is in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45km, heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Otaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge towards Kapiti Coast, it crosses State Highway 1 (SH1) south of Otaki and reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Otaki Beach.The Otaki River is one of the major rivers that formed the fertile floodplains of the Kapiti Coast. The Otaki Forks area, accessible via Otaki Gorge Road, is a popular recreational area and the start of several tramping tracks into the Tararua Range.The Otaki River also offers fishing of brown trout and white bait.