Turakina River

The Turakina River is a river of the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It flows generally southwestward from its source south of Waiouru,[1] roughly paralleling the larger Whangaehu River, and reaches the Tasman Sea 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Whanganui.[2]

Turakina River
Turakina River. looking south west from SH3 bridge, after 13 Dec 2021 flood
Etymology	Māori meaning "tree felled across a river for a bridge"
Native name	Turakina (Māori)
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui
Settlements	Papanui Junction, Turakina, Koitiata
Physical characteristics
Source	5 km (3.1 mi) south west of Waiouru
• coordinates	39°31′0″S 175°37′57″E
• elevation	900 metres (3,000 ft)
Mouth	Tasman Sea
• location	Koitiata
• coordinates	40°03′58″S 175°07′35″E
• elevation	Sea level
Length	137 kilometres (85 mi)
Basin size	962 square kilometres (371 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	12,528 cubic metres (442,400 cu ft)/day
Basin features
River system	Turakina River
Tributaries
• left	Mangapapa River

The river flows near Papanui Junction and Turakina. Pā sites existed at Te Maire, Pukemata, Toakaituna, and Maipaua.[3] Donald McLean arranged signing of the Rangitīkei–Turakina deed with some of the owners on 15 May 1849,[4] when The Crown claimed the Rangitīkei Block.[5] Scottish settlers arrived from the late 1860s.[6]

Floods on the Turakina are frequent, including 1897,[7] 1920,[8] 1939,[9] 1940,[10] 2013,[11] 2015,[12] 2017[13] and 2021.[14]

Te Araroa long-distance walkway crosses the river at the beach at Koitiata at low tide.[15] The outlet of the river changes frequently, moving up to 4.5 km (3 mi) along the lagoon, which is formed by a sand bar.[16][17][2] In 1997 an outlet was dug to reduce flooding.[18][19]

12% of samples taken at the lagoon in 5 years to 2022 found E. coli levels too high for swimming.[20] 81.1% of land in the catchment is used for animal grazing. Native bush covers only 8.5%.[1]

Redfin bully live in the river.[1]

Turakina Valley Road closely follows the river for 104 km (65 mi) between Tangiwai and Turakina.[21] Much of it is a gravel road.[22]

The river is crossed by SH3 and by the Marton–New Plymouth railway.[2]