| Retaruke River | |
|---|---|
 The Retaruke River from Lacy's Bridge in Whakahoro | |
 | |
| Native name | Retaruke (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Ruapehu |
| Settlements | Kaitieke, Whakahoro |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Erua Forest |
| • location | 2km south west of National Park |
| • coordinates | 39°10′59″S 175°22′52″E / 39.18306°S 175.38111°E |
| • elevation | 870 m (2,850 ft) |
| Mouth | Whanganui River |
• location | Whakahoro |
• coordinates | 39°6′29″S 175°4′12″E / 39.10806°S 175.07000°E |
• elevation | 110 m (360 ft) |
| Length | 64 km (40 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Retaruke River → Whanganui River |
| River system | Whanganui River |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Mangaopatuerua Stream, Tarata Stream, Taurimu Stream, Morinui Stream, Oruru Stream, Poururu Stream, Takapa Stream, Pukupuku Stream |
| • right | Tupapakurua Stream, Kauhangaroa Stream, Kaitieke Stream, Kawautahi Stream, Makokomiko Stream, Mangaorakei Stream, Orupe Stream, Makoura Stream, Papapotu Stream, Omaruroa Stream, Tapuae Stream |
The Retaruke River is a river in the North Island of New Zealand. It joins with the Whanganui River at Whakahoro just above Wade's Landing and downstream from Taumarunui. The river flows through the farming communities of Upper and then Lower Retaruke Valley. Downstream from this junction is the Mangapurua Landing with its Bridge to Nowhere, servicing the ill-fated Mangapurua Valley farming community.