[1] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "the shags" for Ngākawau,[2] the official name of the river since 21 June 2019.

The disused bush tram track now forms a section of the Charming Creek Walkway.

Parts of the Upper Ngākawau Gorge are the only known habitat of the rare daisy Celmisia morganii.

The proposed Stockton Plateau Hydro Project is expected to reduce the levels of pollutants.

The Ngākawau Riverwatch environmental group formed in 2001 to address the water pollution in the river.