Waitara River

The source of the Waitara River lies in the very steep hill country to the east of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, near Tahora.

It is prone to flooding, and there are stop banks (levees) to the west of the river (upstream from the bridge) and on both sides downstream.

In December 1860 during the First Taranaki War campaign of the New Zealand Wars, British forces under Major-General Pratt carried out sapping operations against a major Māori defensive line called Te Arei ("The barrier") on the west side of the Waitara River, which was barring the way to the historic hill pā of Pukewairangi.

During this operation, Colour Serjeant John Lucas was awarded the Victoria Cross on 18 March 1861.

The water quality improved significantly following the 1978 construction of an ocean outfall for sewage and following shutdown of the meatworks.