Kaipara Harbour
Kaipara Harbour is a large enclosed harbour estuary complex on the north western side of the North Island of New Zealand. The northern part of the harbour is administered by the Kaipara District and the southern part is administered by the Auckland Council. The local Māori tribe is Ngāti Whātua.
| Kaipara Harbour | |
|---|---|
Kaipara Harbour opens onto the Tasman Sea | |
| Location | Northland and Auckland Regions, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°25′S 174°13′E |
| River sources | Araparera River, Hikurangi River, Hōteo River, Kaihu River, Kaipara River, Kaiwaka River, Kaukapakapa River, Kumeū River, Makarau River, Mangakahia River, Manganui River, Mangawai River, Omaru River, Opatu River, Oruawharo River, Otamatea River, Topuni River, Wairoa River, Wairua River, Whakapara River |
| Ocean/sea sources | Tasman Sea |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Islands | Manakapua Island, Titipu Island, Moturemu Island, Opahekeheke Island, Puharakeke Island, Motukuru Island, Waikauri Island |
| Sections/sub-basins | Arapaoa River, Tauhoa River, Whakaki River |
| Settlements | Glorit, Helensville, Kaukapakapa, Matakohe, Maungaturoto, Pahi, Parakai, Port Albert, Pouto, Ruawai, Shelly Beach, Tapora, Tauhoa, Tinopai, Waioneke |
By area, the Kaipara Harbour is one of the largest harbours in the world. It covers 947 square kilometres (366 sq mi) at high tide, with 409 square kilometres (158 sq mi) exposed as mudflats and sandflats at low tide.
According to Māori tradition, the name Kaipara had its origins back in the 15th century when the Arawa chief, Kahumatamomoe, travelled to the Kaipara to visit his nephew at Pouto. At a feast, he was so impressed with the cooked root of the para fern, that he gave the name Kai-para to the district. Kaipara comes from the Māori kai meaning "food", and para meaning "king fern".