Whakapapa River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whakapapa River
Whakapapa River near Owhango
Native name	Whakapapa
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui
District	Ruapehu
Physical characteristics
Main source	Mount Ruapehu Whakapapa skifield 39°15′40″S 175°33′50″E / 39.26111°S 175.56389°E / -39.26111; 175.56389
River mouth	Whanganui River 255 m (837 ft) 38°55′48″S 175°24′28″E / 38.93000°S 175.40778°E / -38.93000; 175.40778
Length	65 km (40 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Whakapapanui Stream → Whakapapa River → Whanganui River
River system	Whanganui River
Waterfalls	Tawhai Falls

The Whakapapa River in New Zealand trickles off the Whakapapa skifield of Mount Ruapehu, down the western slopes of the mountain, passing near Ōwhango before finally merging with the Whanganui River just east of Kakahi.

Peter McIntyre had a home near Kakahi overlooking the confluence of the Whanganui and Whakapapa rivers, and painted several oil landscapes of the Whakapapa River. After his death, the Whakapapa River undermined the white pumice cliffs where his house was built and claimed the house as its own.

Occasionally people kayak a 7.5-kilometre (4.7 mi) stretch of the river from near Ōwhango (38°59.80′S 175°23.92′E / 38.99667°S 175.39867°E / -38.99667; 175.39867) to near Kakahi (38°56.41′S 175°24.50′E / 38.94017°S 175.40833°E / -38.94017; 175.40833).

Tributaries