Rauoterangi Channel
Strait between the North Island and Kapiti Island in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rauoterangi Channel, also known as the Otaheke Strait,[1] is a channel that separates Kapiti Island from the Kāpiti Coast of the North Island in New Zealand.
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| Rauoterangi Channel | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of the Rauoterangi Channel between Kapiti Island and the Kāpiti Coast | |
.png)  Rauoterangi Channel Location within New Zealand | |
| Coordinates | 40.876°S 174.949°E |
| Waikanae River, Wharemauku Stream | |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Islands | Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island, Passage Rocks, Tahoramaurea Island / Browns Island, Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island, White Rocks |
Geography
Rauoterangi Channel sits between Kapiti Island and the Kāpiti Coast settlements of Waikanae Beach and Paraparaumu Beach.[2] The channel is 5.6 km (3.5 mi) wide,[3] up to 70 m (230 ft) deep, and typically has strong ocean currents.[4] The western side of the channel is dominated by rocky reefs, from which a number of small islands emerge.[4] These include Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island, Passage Rocks, Tahoramaurea Island / Browns Island, Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island and White Rocks.
The modern channel began forming when sea levels began to rise after the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 7,000 years ago.[5]
Much of the channel is situated in the Kapiti Marine Reserve.[3]
Biodiversity
History
The channel is named after Kahe Te Rau-o-te-rangi, a Ngāti Toa chieftainess who swam the length of the channel in 1824 in order to warn people on the mainland of a potential attack.[2][6][7]
Transport
The Kapiti Island Ferry traverses the Rauoterangi Channel, between Paraparaumu Beach and Kapiti Island.[8]