Township 30 km inland and north-west from Gisborne. Te Karaka is located on the right bank of the Waipāoa River but, despite the distance inland, is only 40 metres above sea level. It is the largest settlement between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki, 112 km further north-west. It was the headquarters of Waikohu County between 1908 and 1989, and had its own town council from 1917 to 1962.
Meaning of place name
Te: the; karaka: a native tree.
