Awapoko River

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Awapoko River is an estuary in Northland, New Zealand. It is about 2 km long and forms where the Aurere and Parapara Streams join before entering Doubtless Bay. The Ngāti Kahu people lived in the area for around 700 years, but most of their land was sold in the 1850s under government pressure. Today the land around the river is used for farming, forestry and homes along State Highway 10, with native plants and sand dunes also present. The estuary provides habitat for birds such as the spotless crake, banded rail, bittern and herons. There was court action in 2011 about water quality, and a 2016 report said the Aurere Stream had degraded water quality. In 2014, work began on the Kupe Waka Centre on the riverbank, led by Hector Busby. Puketu Island is a small, steep island in the bay just east of the river mouth. Location coordinates: 34°59′03″S 173°25′27″E.