OFFICIAL HYDROGRAPHIC OBSERVATION REPORT NZ

Motu River Water Level & Telemetry

Gauge Station: Motu River at Houpoto • North Island• New Zealand

● NORMAL FLOW

Water Level (STAGE)

15.40 m

Normal Band: 28.0 – 280.0 m

Discharge / Flow

154 m³/s

Historical Peak: 1,800 m³/s

Elevation

— ft

Elevation above sea level

VERIFIED TELEMETRY • SOURCE: LAWA & NIWA • GAUGE ID: NZ-BOP-022@-37.8950,177.6250 • COORD: -37.895°, 177.625°

OBSERVED: Oct 1, 2026, 6:59 PM

Motu River Where It Flows & Gauge Station

HYDROGRAPHIC MAP & GAUGING LOCATION

PRECIPITATION RADAR

GEOGRAPHIC COURSE & HYDROLOGICAL REACH

Where It Flows: Motu River

The Motu River is a vital waterway situated within New Zealand, flowing predominantly across the North Island basin. It forms an integral artery of the Raukumara Wilderness drainage basin. Along its course, it navigates through or proximate to Opotiki, providing municipal drainage, agricultural sustenance, and freshwater habitat. Continuous hydrological surveillance at the Motu River at Houpoto gauging station (coordinates: -37.8950°N, 177.6250°W) allows real-time quantification of upstream runoff, seasonal snowmelt pulses, and meteorological flood crests.

COUNTRY

New Zealand

REGION / STATE

North Island

CATCHMENT BASIN

Raukumara Wilderness

GAUGING LOCATION

Opotiki

MONITORING STATIONS & GAUGES ALONG (1) UPSTREAM & DOWNSTREAM POINTS

Station / Location	REGION / STATE	Coordinates	Station ID	Action
Motu River at Houpoto CURRENT GAUGE	North Island	-37.895°, 177.625°	NZ-BOP-022@-37.8950,177.6250	Viewing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER LEVELS

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Levels: Motu River

What is the current Motu River water level today? ↓

As of the latest continuous telemetry report, the Motu River water level at Motu River at Houpoto is measured at baseline with an observed discharge of 154 m³/s.

Where is the official monitoring gauge for Motu River located? ↓

The primary monitoring station for Motu River is located at coordinates -37.8950° Latitude and 177.6250° Longitude near Opotiki in North Island. Telemetry is recorded under site identifier NZ-BOP-022@-37.8950,177.6250.

What are normal water levels and flood stages for Motu River? ↓

Typical hydrological levels on the Motu River generally fluctuate within 28.0 m and 280.0 m. When stage exceeds these parameters, localized bank overflow and flood advisories may be triggered.

Where does the Motu River flow? ↓

The Motu River courses through New Zealand across the North Island basin, draining into the Raukumara Wilderness. It provides critical natural drainage and freshwater replenishment across its catchment reach.