The stream originates south of the Huia Ridge in the central Waitākere Ranges, northwest of Te Toiokawharu.

Around the year 1987, the stream changed course, flowing south through the Whatipu sand dunes past Te Marotiri ō Takamiro (Cutter Rock) into the Manukau Harbour.

The course changed again around the year 2000, resuming its previous course, entering the Tasman Sea west of Pararaha Bay.

Sawn timber from the mill was transported to Whatipu in the south, and shipped to the port of Onehunga.

[7] By 1980, the Pararaha Stream valley was forested with regenerating New Zealand bush, dominated by mānuka scrub.