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The river's main tributary is the Waipa River, which has its confluence with the Waikato at Ngaruawahia.

The Waikato River has spiritual meaning for the local Tainui Maori tribe who regard it as a source of their mana or pride. The New Zealand national maraeA Maori word now common in New Zealand English, marae refers an area of land where the Wharenui or meeting house (literally "big house") sits. Like nearly all Maori words, it is unchanged in the plural. The area in front is used for ceremonial welcomes an of TurangawaewaeTurangawaewae is the National Marae of New Zealand. It is located in the town of Ngaruawahia in the Waikato. The present pa was built in 1921. It is the official residence of the Maori Queen Te Atairangi Kaahu. The marae's buildings include the exquisitel is located close to its banks at Ngaruawahia. The name Waikato comes from MaoriMori (or Maori is a language spoken by the native peoples of New Zealand. History Maori was probably brought to New Zealand by Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands who sailed over in canoes. In the last 200 years the Maori language has had a very tumult and translates as flowing water.

1 Uses of the river

The river has long been a critical communications and transport link for the communities along its banks. The cities of TaupoTaupo is a town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand at the northeast corner of Lake Taupo. The town is also the seat of the Taupo District Council''. It functions as a tourist centre, particularly in the summer. The name Taupo comes from Maor and HamiltonHamilton is New Zealand's 4th largest metropolitan area. It is situated in the Waikato district about one and a half hours drive south of Auckland. The local iwi ( Maori tribe) is Tainui. Originally called Kirikiriroa when the first Maori inhabited the re are located on or close to its banks, as are the towns of MangakinoMangakino is a small town on the banks of the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the hydroelectric power station at Lake Maraetai, 85 kilometres southeast of Hamilton. Its population in 2001 was 1257. Waikato Cities a, CambridgeCambridge is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River. It has a population of 13,700 ( 2001 census). Before European settlement Cambridge was the, Ngaruawahia, and HuntlyHuntly (population 7,067) is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated 93 kilometres south of Auckland and 35 kilometres north of Hamilton. It is situated on State Highway 1 and straddles the Waikato River. The Huntly.

The water of the river has been harnessed for electricity generation. There are eight hydroelectric power stations and one thermal power station on the river. Details of the hydroelectric stations are given at Reservoirs and dams in New Zealand. Large artificial lakes connected with hydroelecticity generation are found on the river at Maraetai, Arapuni, and Karapiro. The thermal plant, Huntly Power Station (1,000MW), is cooled by river water and can burn both gas and coal.

Two major problems currently face the river. The river has pollution due to water runoff from intensive land use in its catchment area. Dairy farming is one of the causes of this pollution. There are also controversial plans to punp water north to Auckland to be purified and used for domestic water supply.