[1] It originates east of the Ngamatea Swamp in the New Zealand Army's Waiouru Training area.

From here it flows south, through private farmland, and in some places following State Highway 1, for several kilometres before entering the Rangitīkei River south of Taihape.

[3] For most of its length the river is closely followed by the North Island Main Trunk and is crossed twice by the railway.

[4] The river was diverted in 1905 to avoid the need for a further two railway bridges.

In the summer months it can hold relatively good sized brown trout that can be targeted by either dry-fly or nymphing techniques.