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Story: Waikato tribes

River mouth at Port Waikato

River mouth at Port Waikato

The name ‘Waikato’ comes from an incident during the journey of the Tainui canoe. When the canoe arrived just off the mouth of the river, its current could be seen exerting a pull (kato) in the sea – so the river itself was named Waikato (wai meaning water).

About this item

GNS Science
Reference: 22622/23
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image

How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal. 'Waikato tribes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/waikato-tribes/2/1