The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. Its catchment covers 14,260 square km or 12 per cent of the area of the North Island. The river starts its journey to the sea from high in the central North Island volcanic zone, 2797 metres above sea level.
From there it flows into Lake Taupo. Leaving the lake, the river cuts through the volcanic plateau flowing north, passing through eight hydro electric dams, and onto the lowlands from Cambridge to Mercer.
The river finally flows into the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato after a journey of 425 km from Lake Taupo.
The Waikato River is a tupuna (ancestor), a taonga (treasure), and the mauri (life force) of Tainui Waka and Ngati Tuwharetoa.
Find out about the relationship the tribes of Waikato have with the Waikato River and their concerns about its health in Waikato Te Awa – a taonga.
Water quality in the Waikato River
Water quality in the Waikato River is much better than it was in the 1950s. Urban waste water treatment has improved considerably. Despite being the most intensively used river in the country, the Waikato's water quality is considered to be excellent compared to other rivers around the world. Find out about how clean the Waikato River is and about water quality trends.
Check out Environment Waikato's indicators of river water quality for ecological health and for contact recreation (for example, swimming).
Looking after the Waikato River
Environment Waikato measures water quality every month at 10 sites along the Waikato River to assess the suitability for contact recreation (such as swimming) and for the plants and animals that live there.
Find out more about how we measure water quality. Use our map of sites along the Waikato River and on our other rivers and streams to check out water quality in your local area.
Measuring the Waikato River's water quality helps Environment Waikato develop policy on how we will address the issues and activities affecting water quality in the Waikato River.
For policy information on rivers and streams check out the Regional Plan (water module) and Regional Policy Statement (water).
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The health of the Waikato River and catchment
The following report was prepared for the Guardians Establishment Committee in March 2008.
The health of the Waikato River and catchment - information for the Guardians Establishment Committee
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