WAIKATO RIVER - INQUIRY

Geographic Information:

• Use the website linked on Google Classroom to read about the Waikato River.

• Choose 5 important facts about the Waikato River to add to the following table. Type them in your own words.

• Then below find 3 ‘interesting facts’ about the River

Five Key Facts about the Waikato River

The Waikato river is the longest river in New Zealand.

It is 425 km long.

It has 22 species of fish in it.

The mouth of the river is at the Port of Waikato. 

It flows into Lake Taupo. 

Three Interesting facts:

It takes several weeks for a drop of water to flow from Lake Taupō to Port Waikato. Without the dams it would take about seven days.

Lake Karāpiro, the largest hydro lake on the river, is home to a variety of cultural and sporting events, including those at an international level.

Catchment: covers 14,260 square km or 12 per cent of the area of the North Island

Cultural Information:

Thinking about what Matua Snow has shared with us today, and perhaps doing a wee bit of research, write down 5 ideas from a cultural perspective of how the river is significant to the local iwi.

Five ways the Waikato River is significant from a cultural perspective:

Each bend is where a chief resides. 

The lake is the heart and the rivers are arteries 

The waikato is sacred water to save Taupiri. 

The Waikato and the Rangitikei river raced to get to the sea. 

Aratiatia Rapids is one of the most popular natural attractions in New Zealand’s North Island – a must see on your visit to Taupo. Watch thousands of liters of water rush from the dam gates to transform the peaceful gully into raging rapids. 

Rapids Jet goes down the Waikato river, over the white water rapids. It is a fun filled boat ride. The boats also look at the history of the Waikato river.

Rapid Jet video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0-h3X9Go6Y