Tangahoe River

The Tangahoe River is a river of the Taranaki Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows generally southwest from its origins in hill country to the east of Lake Rotorangi, reaching the Tasman Sea in the South Taranaki Bight 5km southeast of Hawera.NameAn elder, of Tangahoe and Ngati Hine descent, said the origin of the name, Tangahoe, is that it was given to the river following the loss of a steering oar (hoe) from a fishing waka (boat) at sea, trying to return to its tauranga waka (landing place). It was said that, had it had two steering oars, as on the Aotea waka, then it would have reached its landing.Pre colonial valueThe Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Act 2003 said the river was a major source of resources, providing shellfish and fish, including piharau, kokopu, tuna and patiki, birds such as kereru, pukeko, tiwaiwaka, kahu, kakapo, kiwi, korimako, miromiro and pipiwharauroa and plants, including koromiko, kohia, hinau, piripiri, mamaku, and rewarewa.