WHANGANUI RIVER

The Whanganui River is the second longest in the North Island, and has the longest navigable course in New Zealand. It is often referred to as the "Rhine of New Zealand" or the "Mississippi of the North Island". Easily accessible, it was soon used by the Maori people and then exploited by European settlers. In 1891, in recognition of its scenic value, the Whanganui River Trust was set up to preserve the river. Its source is near Mount Tongariro, but it is also fed by the melted snow of the majestic Mount Ruapehu. Its waters travel 290 km and flow into 239 rapids before returning to the Tasman Sea. Māori legend has it that Taranaki and Tongariro, once living side by side, fought for the favors of the beautiful Pihanga (another volcanic peak between Tongariro and Taupo). At the end of the battle between the two mountains, Pihanga decided to stay close to Tongariro. Taranaki, enraged and saddened, headed west. On his way towards the setting sun, he left a deep wound in the earth. The next day, a spring of fresh water gushed out of Tongariro and flowed along the wound left by Taranaki in his frantic race to the coast. This formed the Whanganui river and nurtured a lush forest along this new valley.

Some Māori were afraid to live between the two mountains, for fear that Taranaki would one day decide to head back inland to resume his battle with Tongariro.