The river drains an area of consisting of predominately managed forestry land northwest of Tolaga Bay.

The river meanders in a northerly direction through large areas of managed forestry before bending eastwards towards the settlement of Hikuwai.

The river flow south through this section, meandering through an area of farmland and the settlements of Arero and Mangatuna.

The river and meanders south for about 10 kilometres (6 mi) passing the settlement of Wharekaka before flowing into the sea at Tolaga Bay.

[1] The catchment area of the river is prone to high rain falls when easterly weather systems make landfall from the Pacific Ocean.