Ruamahanga River

Ruamahanga River
Location of the Ruamahanga River in New Zealand
Data
location	Wellington , North Island (New Zealand) Region
River system	Ruamahanga River
Drain over	Lake Ononoke  → Palliser Bay  → Cook Strait
muzzle	in the Lake Ononoke coordinates: 41 ° 22 '18 "  S , 175 ° 8' 26"  O 41 ° 22 '18 "  S , 175 ° 8' 26"  O
length	130 km
Left tributaries	Tauweru River
Right tributaries	Waingawa River , Waiohine River
Flowing lakes	Lake Wairarapa

The Ruamahanga River is a river in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand .

The river has its source northwest of Masterton in the Tararua Ranges . From there it runs with a length of 130 km first to the south, then to the southwest. It has several tributaries, including the Tauweru River at Gladstone .

The towns of Masterton, Gladston, Ponatahi , Martinborough , Pahautea , Pukio and Tuhitatrata are close to the river.

In its lower reaches, the river meanders in a wide flood plain, especially in the wetland along the east coast of Lake Wairarapa , the outlet of which flows into the Ruamahanga River just before the mouth of the river. The river once flowed through the lake, but was later diverted around it.

The river flows directly on the coast into Lake Ononoke , which is separated from the sea , which has a narrow outlet to Palliser Bay on the Cook Strait at Lake Ferry .

The river is popular for trout fishing, and in the upper part there are many places suitable for swimming.