Whakatāne

The Whakatane River catchment covers over 1,100 km2 and the river extends 112 km to its upper tributaries. The catchments are relatively narrow and the tributaries are short and steep, draining extensive bush covered catchments. The river arises from two branches in the Huiarau and Ikawhenua Ranges and runs due north along the Waimana and Whakatane fault lines until they converge at Taneatua, 26 km from the sea. In the lower reaches there is a wide meander belt with considerable areas of shingle bed and river flats running through farm land.