It has its source in several streams which flow west from the Coromandel Range, the longest of which is the Waipaheke Stream.

The river generally flows west, reaching its outflow into the Waihou River 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of Paeroa on the edge of the Hauraki Plains.

Water quality is good, except for E. coli and ammoniacal nitrogen.

[1] "Place name detail: Hikutaia River".

This article about a river in the Waikato Region is a stub.