where does the waikato river begin and end
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand , running for 425 kilometres ( 264 mi ) through the North Island . It rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu , joining the Tongariro River system and flowing through Lake Taupo , New Zealand 's largest lake . It then drains Taupo at the lake 's northeastern edge , creates the Huka Falls , and flows northwest through the Waikato Plains . It empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland , at Port Waikato . It gives its name to the Waikato Region that surrounds the Waikato Plains . The present course of the river was largely formed about 17,000 years ago . Contributing factors were climate warming , forest being reestablished in the river headwaters and the deepening , rather than widening , of the existing river channel . The channel was gradually eroded as far up river as Piarere , leaving the old Hinuera channel high and dry . The remains of the old river path can be clearly seen at Hinuera where the cliffs mark the ancient river edges . The river 's main tributary is the Waipa River , which has its confluence with the Waikato at Ngaruawahia . 
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand , running for 425 kilometres ( 264 mi ) through the North Island . It rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu , joining the Tongariro River system and flowing through Lake Taupo , New Zealand 's largest lake . It then drains Taupo at the lake 's northeastern edge , creates the Huka Falls , and flows northwest through the Waikato Plains . It empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland , at Port Waikato . It gives its name to the Waikato Region that surrounds the Waikato Plains . The present course of the river was largely formed about 17,000 years ago . Contributing factors were climate warming , forest being reestablished in the river headwaters and the deepening , rather than widening , of the existing river channel . The channel was gradually eroded as far up river as Piarere , leaving the old Hinuera channel high and dry . The remains of the old river path can be clearly seen at Hinuera where the cliffs mark the ancient river edges . The river 's main tributary is the Waipa River , which has its confluence with the Waikato at Ngaruawahia .
The Waikato River rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu and empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland, at Port Waikato .
It rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu , joining the Tongariro River system and flowing through Lake Taupo , New Zealand 's largest lake . It empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland , at Port Waikato .