riverhead

Township at the head of the upper Waitematā Harbour, 31 km from central Auckland. In the 19th century it was a centre for gum digging, and a vital trading link with Helensville and the Kaipara. The river setting was also ideal for milling timber, flour and paper. In the 20th century tobacco was grown. The Riverhead State Forest was planted on 5,000 ha of poor gum land from 1929 to 1933.

Meaning of place name
The settlement is at the head of the Waitemata Harbour or 'river' as it was known by early explorers and visitors.

Images and media for riverhead