Waingaro River 2.19

The Waingaro River is a river of the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows generally southwest from its origins west of Ngaruawahia to reach a northern arm of Raglan Harbour (see 1:50,000 map). Its main tributary is Kahuhuru Stream, which Highway 22 follows for several kilometres. Tributaries total about 170km.The Waingaro River is one of the largest sources of sediment in Whaingaroa Harbour, partly because it is 99 percent unfenced.GeologyThe lower river flows over Puaroan age, blue-grey Puti siltstone.Waingaro Hot Spring was closed in 2014, until improvements were made and it reopened in 2016. It has dilute alkaline NaCl-type, 37to, thermal water flowing from early Jurassic basement rocks at about 350l per minute, probably originating at least 3km deep.In 1921 this description was given: Waingaro/ on the coach-road from Ngaruawhahia to the west coast, has waters of the most strictly simple 'thermal' type, containing only 22 grains of solids to the gallon. It is not a 'spa,' though it is used locally and had at one time a great reputation among the Maoris. The outflow of water is very large and the temperature high. There is a large simple immersion bath, with hotel accommodation alongside.ANALYSIS Grains per gallon. Sodium chloride 6-43Silica 7-80Total solids 22-66Temperature. 130 °F. In 1942 a corrugated iron shelter, which had covered the spring on the north side of the road, was swept away by a flood. After that the hot water was piped under the road and the present complex of baths built.