Waihou River

Waihou River
Thames River
Waihou River; Thames River
	The Waihou River near Putāruru
	The Waihou River system
Native name	Waihou (Māori)
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Waikato
Physical characteristics
Source	Mamaku Ranges
• coordinates	38°4′34″S 176°1′52″E / 38.07611°S 176.03111°E
Mouth	Firth of Thames
• coordinates	37°10′5″S 175°32′30″E / 37.16806°S 175.54167°E
• elevation	Sea level
Length	150 kilometres (93 mi)
Basin size	1,982 square kilometres (765 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	Ohinemuri River, Komata River, Hikutaia River, Puriri River
Bridges	Kopu Bridge

The Waihou River is located in the northern North Island of New Zealand. Its former name, Thames River, was bestowed by Captain James Cook in November 1769, when he explored 14 mi (23 km) of the river from the mouth. An older Māori name was "Wai Kahou Rounga". A 1947 Geographic Board enquiry ruled that the official name would be Waihou.^[1]

^ "Waihou River". New Zealand Gazetteer.

[1] "Waihou River". New Zealand Gazetteer.

[1]