New Zealand State Highway 12
Encyclopedia
State Highway 12 is a road in the far north of the North Island
of New Zealand
. It connects with New Zealand State Highway 1 at both its northern and southern end. It runs close to the west coast of the Northland Region of New Zealand
.
, running initially southwest to Kaikohe
before turning roughly westwards, reaching the Hokianga
harbor at its Omanaia River
arm. It continues west, reaching Opononi
and Omapere at the mouth of the Hokianga, before turning southeast to parallel the coast. The highway briefly follows the valley of the Waimamaku River
before winding through the Waipoua Kauri Forest, then follows the valley of the Kaihu River
to Dargaville
. At Dargaville, the highway meets SH14, and contunes southeastwards along the edge of the Wairoa River
to Ruawai
before turning eastwards. It briefly skirts the edge of the Arapaoa River
arm of the Kaipara Harbour
before passing through Maungaturoto
and ending at its junction with SH1 at Brynderwyn, 15 km south of Waipu
.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It connects with New Zealand State Highway 1 at both its northern and southern end. It runs close to the west coast of the Northland Region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Route
SH12 starts in OhaeawaiOhaeawai
Ohaeawai is a small village at the junction of State Highway 1 and State Highway 12 in the Far North District of New Zealand, some 250 km from Auckland. Nearby is the site of the bloody Battle of Ohaeawai fought at Pene Taui's pā during the Flagstaff War in 1845...
, running initially southwest to Kaikohe
Kaikohe
Kaikohe is the central service area for the Far North District of New Zealand, about 260 km from Auckland, situated on State Highway 12 at...
before turning roughly westwards, reaching the Hokianga
Hokianga
Hokianga is an area surrounding the Hokianga Harbour, also known as The Hokianga River, a long estuarine drowned valley on the west coast in the north of the North Island of New Zealand....
harbor at its Omanaia River
Omanaia River
The Omanaia River is a river of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows northwest from the Waima Forest, first as a stream and then as a silty arm of the Hokianga Harbour. The toiwnship of Rawene stands at the point where the river meets the main waters of the...
arm. It continues west, reaching Opononi
Opononi
Opononi is a settlement on the south shore of the Hokianga harbour in Northland Region, New Zealand. State Highway 12 runs through Opononi. Omapere lies to the south and Whirinaki lies to the north east....
and Omapere at the mouth of the Hokianga, before turning southeast to parallel the coast. The highway briefly follows the valley of the Waimamaku River
Waimamaku River
The Waimamaku River is a river of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows west from the Mataraua Forest to reach the Tasman Sea eight kilometres south of the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour.-Meaning:...
before winding through the Waipoua Kauri Forest, then follows the valley of the Kaihu River
Kaihu River
The Kaihu River is a river of the far north of New Zealand's North Island. It flows southeast from just south of Waipoua Forest, reaching the Wairoa River at the town of Dargaville.-References:...
to Dargaville
Dargaville
Dargaville is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Northland region. The town is located 55 kilometres southwest of Whangarei....
. At Dargaville, the highway meets SH14, and contunes southeastwards along the edge of the Wairoa River
Wairoa River, Northland
New Zealand's longest Wairoa River runs for 150 kilometres through the northern part of the North Auckland Peninsula. In the upper reaches, the river is formed from two separate rivers, the Manganui River and - confusingly - the Wairua River. The two streams meet to the northeast of Dargaville,...
to Ruawai
Ruawai
Ruawai is a small township located 30 km south of Dargaville in Northland, New Zealand. The population was 426 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 30 from 2001....
before turning eastwards. It briefly skirts the edge of the Arapaoa River
Arapaoa River
The Arapaoa River is a northeastern arm of the Kaipara Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. Officially designated as a river, it is some 17 kilometres in length and an average of three kilometres in width.-References:* - Search for Place Names...
arm of the Kaipara Harbour
Kaipara Harbour
Kaipara Harbour is a large enclosed harbour estuary complex on the north western side of the North Island of New Zealand. The northern part of the harbour is administered by the Kaipara District and the southern part is administered by the Rodney District...
before passing through Maungaturoto
Maungaturoto
Maungaturoto is a small town in the Northland Region of New Zealand. The population was 837 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 87 from 2001. It is the second largest settlement in the Kaipara District....
and ending at its junction with SH1 at Brynderwyn, 15 km south of Waipu
Waipu
Waipu is a small town in Bream Bay, in the Northland Region of New Zealand, with a Scottish heritage. The population was 1,491 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 222 from 2001. A highlight of the town's calendar is the annual Highland Games held at New Year...
.
See also
- List of New Zealand State Highways
- List of roads and highways, for notable or famous roads worldwide