{{Short description|River in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox river | name = Turakina River | native_name = {{native name|mi|Turakina}} | name_other = | name_etymology = Māori meaning "tree felled across a river for a bridge" | nickname = <!---------------------- IMAGE--> | image = Turakina River from SH3 bridge, after 13 Dec 2021 flood.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_caption = Turakina River. looking south west from SH3 bridge, after 13 Dec 2021 flood | image_alt = <!---------------------- MAPS --> | map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=9|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}} | map_size = | map_caption = | map_alt = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= | pushpin_map_alt = <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = New Zealand | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Manawatū-Whanganui | subdivision_type3 = Settlements | subdivision_name3 = Papanui Junction, Turakina, Koitiata | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = {{convert|137|km|mi}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg ={{convert|12528|m3}}/day | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = {{cvt|5|km|mi}} south west of Waiouru | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= {{Coord|39|31|0|S|175|37|57|E|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|900|m|ft}} | mouth = Tasman Sea | mouth_location = Koitiata | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40|03|58|S|175|07|35|E|display=title,inline|region:NZ_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}} | mouth_elevation = Sea level | progression = | river_system = Turakina River | basin_size ={{convert|962|km2}} | basin_landmarks = | basin_population = | tributaries_left = Mangapapa River | tributaries_right = | waterbodies = | waterfalls = | bridges = | ports = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}
The '''Turakina River''' is a river of the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It flows generally southwestward from its source south of Waiouru,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Environmental monitoring data for Turakina|url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/manawatū-whanganui-region/river-quality/turakina/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)}}</ref> roughly paralleling the larger Whangaehu River, and reaches the Tasman Sea {{convert|20|km|mi|0}} southeast of Whanganui.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Turakina River, Manawatu-Wanganui|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz47216/Turakina-River/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}}</ref>
The river flows near Papanui Junction and Turakina. Pā sites existed at Te Maire, Pukemata, Toakaituna, and Maipaua.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 October 2008|title=Schedule to the deed of settlement of the Historical Claims of Ngati Apa|url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngati-Apa-North-Island/Ngati-Apa-North-Island-Deed-of-Settlement-Schedules-8-Oct-2008.pdf}}</ref> Donald McLean arranged signing of the Rangitīkei–Turakina deed with some of the owners on 15 May 1849,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009|title=Report on aspects of the Wai 655 claim|url=https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_68335817/Report%20on%20Aspects%20of%20Wai%20655%20Claim.pdf|website=Waitangi Tribunal}}</ref> when The Crown claimed the Rangitīkei Block.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turakina {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/turakina|access-date=2022-01-02|website=nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref> Scottish settlers arrived from the late 1860s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Forging a region, 1870s–1920s|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui-region/page-7|access-date=2022-01-02|website=teara.govt.nz|language=en}}</ref>
Floods on the Turakina are frequent, including 1897,<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 Apr 1897|title=The Whole of the Turakina Valley Inundated. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18970417.2.21.4|access-date=2022-01-02|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> 1920,<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 Oct 1920|title=RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL. TAIHAPE DAILY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAIDT19201005.2.12|access-date=2022-01-02|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> 1939,<ref>{{Cite web|title=August 1939 Manawatu-Wanganui Flooding|url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/August_1939_Manawatu-Wanganui_Flooding|access-date=2022-01-02|website=hwe.niwa.co.nz}}</ref> 1940,<ref>{{Cite web|title=February 1940 North Island and West Coast Flooding|url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/February_1940_North_Island_and_West_Coast_Flooding|access-date=2022-01-02|website=hwe.niwa.co.nz}}</ref> 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-17|title=Turakina farmland remains under water|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/9299058/Turakina-farmland-remains-under-water|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|title=June 2015|url=https://www.koitiata.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Floods-2013-2015-Beach-Road-1-1.pdf}}</ref> 2017<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 Apr 2017|title=Significant flood levels for Whanganui, Whangaehu and Turakina Rivers|url=https://www.horizons.govt.nz/news/significant-flood-levels-for-whanganui,-whangaehu}}</ref> and 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-14|title='Tourists' made heavy rain and flooding seem worse, say residents|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127272216/tourists-made-heavy-rain-and-flooding-seem-worse-say-residents|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>
Te Araroa long-distance walkway crosses the river at the beach at Koitiata at low tide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manawatū-Whanganui trail notes|url=https://www.teararoa.org.nz/the-trail/manawatu-whanganui/manawatu-whanganui-trail-notes/#whanganui-to-bulls|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.teararoa.org.nz}}</ref> The outlet of the river changes frequently, moving up to {{convert|4.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} along the lagoon, which is formed by a sand bar.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Koitiata|url=https://www.koitiata.nz/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=|language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1975|title=1:63360 map Sheet: N143 Marton|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1781216&y=5562013&layerid=NZMS1%201979|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.mapspast.org.nz}}</ref><ref name=":1"/> In 1997 an outlet was dug to reduce flooding.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 Jan 1997|title=Trench cut to release Turakina floodwater. Wanganui Chronicle|url=https://www.koitiata.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Floods-1997-River-Flooding-1-1.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1997: Second attempt to drain the water.|url=https://www.koitiata.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Floods-1997-River-Flooding-3.pdf}}</ref>
12% of samples taken at the lagoon in 5 years to 2022 found ''E. coli'' levels too high for swimming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turakina River|url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/manawatū-whanganui-region/river-quality/turakina/turakina-at-mouth/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)}}</ref> 81.1% of land in the catchment is used for animal grazing. Native bush covers only 8.5%.<ref name=":0"/>
Redfin bully live in the river.<ref name=":0"/>
Turakina Valley Road closely follows the river for {{convert|104|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} between Tangiwai and Turakina.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tangiwai to 3 Turakina Valley Road|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-39.4669804,175.5894364/-40.0390625,175.2122667/@-40.0435426,175.2021652,13z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d175.5672193!2d-39.6357932!3s0x6d6a8a457bf083b1:0x96c48121d7fb24e1!3m4!1m2!1d175.4788055!2d-39.8095198!3s0x6d6a847b43796b39:0xad961929a603c377!3m4!1m2!1d175.471997!2d-39.8694496!3s0x6d6a82f238197df9:0x2860454048fcbb1e!3m4!1m2!1d175.3594777!2d-39.9113584!3s0x6d402737feb14969:0xac73e6f9effb6fc6!1m0!3e1|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Google maps|language=en}}</ref> Much of it is a gravel road.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mangara Stream, Manawatu-Wanganui|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz48835/Mangara-Stream/|access-date=2022-01-02|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}}</ref>
The river is crossed by SH3 and by the Marton–New Plymouth railway.<ref name=":1"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Rivers of Manawatū-Whanganui Category:Rivers of New Zealand
{{ManawatuWanganui-river-stub}}