Landscaping of the riverbank in Wairoa for active and passive recreation : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the National Diploma of Horticulture

Abstract

The Wairoa river is the focal element of the town. It is the main feature which gives Wairoa its unique character. The main highway into town arrives directly onto the river and,consequently, is a visitor's first impression of the town. Wairoa is on the vacation route of the East Coast of the North Island, so that during the summer there is quite an influx of visitors to the town. The river and its surroundings is one of the major recreational areas of the town, being used being used for fishing, water-skiing, rowing, yachting and, to some extent, pleasure crafts. The banks of the river are used for picnicking, viewing of water sports, fishing and general passive type recreation. The river cuts the town into sectors and also loops round the town so that most people live in close proximity to the river. This closeness makes the inhabitants very conscious of the river, its moods, its power and its riverbanks and how all of these affect their town. In this way it can be said that the river dominates the town and the people who live in it. It is the intention of this thesis to provide guidelines along which the development of the riverbanks within the Borough of Wairoa should proceed, with emphasis on a walkway along Marine Parade for which detailed plans will be given.