The Patea River is in Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand. It runs for 105 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki, passing east through Stratford before swinging south and reaching the South Taranaki Bight near the town of Patea.
The river was the original portal to South Taranaki for both Māori and Europeans. In the early days of colonial New Zealand, the Patea River defined the boundary between New Ulster Province and New Munster Province (from 1841 to 1853 - refer to Provinces of New Zealand).
Many enjoy canoeing in the Patea River - it is the only navigable river in South Taranaki.
Lake Rotorangi on the river is the longest man-made lake in New Zealand (46 km), formed when the Egmont Electric Power Board built the Patea Dam in 1979-84. The interesting southern access drive is via Ball Road through Alton and Hurleyville. There is a free camping site with toilet facilities at the dam.
Coordinates: 39°46′S 174°29′E / 39.767°S 174.483°E / -39.767; 174.483
Famous quotes containing the word river:
“The river’s tent is broken; the last fingers of leaf
Clutch and sink into the wet bank. The wind
Crosses the brown land, unheard. The nymphs are departed.
Sweet Thames, run softly, till I end my song.
The river bears no empty bottles, sandwich papers,
Silk handkerchiefs, cardboard boxes, cigarette ends
Or other testimony of summer nights.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)