Whananaki

Whananaki
Whananaki Footbridge
Whananaki
Coordinates: 35°30′49″S 174°27′23″E / 35.51361°S 174.45639°E / -35.51361; 174.45639
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictWhangarei District

Whananaki (Māori: Whananāki) is a locality on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand. Whangārei is to the southwest. Te Wairahi Stream flows from the northwest into Whananaki Inlet, a wide tidal estuary which separates Whananaki from Whananaki South. Sandy Bay lies to the southeast. A long wooden footbridge connects Whananaki North and Whananaki South, with an alternative connection being a 6-kilometre-long (3.7 mi) road that crosses the river above the estuary. Hikurangi is about 22 km southwest of Whananaki South.

The area was reputedly named by Puhi, the captain of the legendary waka Mātaatua. The Māori-language word Whananāki means "kicking", and the name arose because mosquitoes caused Puhi to sleep restlessly.