Rivers in the zone are similar to those of South East Asia and Australia.

 They tend to flow more slowly and have been used for navigation in many instances.  They have transported the rich soils from the high lands and spread them onto the vast fertile lowland plains

The first Maori people and the Early European settlers used these slow flowing rivers for transportation.

In their upper courses larger rivers are often dammed for generating electricity.

River Deposition
Groups can explore more carefully into the lower course flood plains, looking at their their formation, soil building and value for agriculture. 

River Erosion 
Among the higher altitudes the soft ground is easily eroded by the rivers and we investigate  the various aspects of river erosion with deep gorges, steep slopes, and their sliding activity.

Hydro electric power
In the sloping areas rivers are harnessed for making hydro electric power. We explore the background to these and the physics that make them work efficiently.

Conservation
Because of intensive farming with sheep and cows there are issues of river pollution controls we can explore.

Flood controls
Floods often occur with rivers in the zone so there are control and protection systems interested groups can explore. These systems are designed to protect communities and valuable farming land.

See also:  Waikato River (340 cu/sec)  Whanganui

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