Ruamahanga River

Ruamahanga River
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Palliser Bay, Cook Strait
Length	124 km (77 mi)

The Ruamahanga River runs through the southeastern North Island of New Zealand.

The river's headwaters are in the Tararua Ranges northwest of Masterton. From there it runs firstly south and then southwest for 130 kilometres (81 mi) before emptying into the Cook Strait. The towns of Masterton and Martinborough are close to the banks of the river. It is joined by many other rivers, including the Tauweru River near Gladstone.

In its lower reaches, the river meanders across a large floodplain, culminating in the wetlands around the edges of Lake Wairarapa. The river once flowed into the lake, but has now has been diverted. The river drains at Palliser Bay 10 kilometres (6 mi) further south.

Trout fishing is a popular activity and there are many swimming holes in the upper reaches.

In popular Maori legend a Taniwha (Mythical monster) lives in the river, he has been angered since the river was diverted and is believed to have been responsible for the death of many people.

The river has now become generally polluted from sewage and farming that prevents people from swimming in the river or its tributaries.