The Oruarangi Creek is a stream in Māngere, in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows from Māngere into the Manukau Harbour.
Etymology
The name of the creek refers to Ruarangi, who was a chief of the patupaiarehe, supernatural beings who lived in the area before the arrival of people.
Description
The creek begins in Māngere. It follows a spiralling pattern through suburban, industrial and rural Māngere. It is met by a tributary river, the Waitomokia Creek, and flows north-west into the Manukau Harbour. The creek's catchment covers an area of , including Airport Oaks industrial estate, Villa Maria Vineyard, farmland and Makaurau Marae. The two kilometres of creek close to the river mouth are tidal and brackish.
River health
The creek has elevated levels of zinc, copper, total petroleum hydrocarbon and other contaminants.
History
In 1960, the Manukau Sewage Purification Works (now Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant) was opened, The ponds caused degradation to the environment of the harbour, including traditional fishing grounds in the Oruarangi Creek, strong odours and swarms of Chironomus zealandicus (New Zealand midge) in the surrounding areas. Between 1998 and 2005, Watercare Services removed the oxidation ponds, allowing the creek to flow directly into the harbour again. Since this time, a number of regeneration projects have been undertaken along the shores of the creek.
See also List of rivers of New Zealand
References