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Kōrero: Hawke’s Bay places

Digging the bar, Wairoa River, early 20th century

Digging the bar, Wairoa River, early 20th century

The bar at the mouth of the Wairoa River was a constant source of frustration for European settlers because it regularly silted up, making it difficult for boats and ships to travel between the river and Hawke Bay. Channels and new exits were dug, but the river tended to silt up again at critical points.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

MTG Hawke's Bay Tai Ahuriri, Hawke's Bay Museums Trust/Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi collection

Reference: 4273

Permission of MTG Hawke’s Bay, P.O. Box 248, Napier, New Zealand must be obtained before any re-use of this image

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Hawke’s Bay places – Wairoa, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/24286/digging-the-bar-wairoa-river-early-20th-century (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 19 August 2009, updated 30 November 2015.